If you come down to Duthie Park this Sunday you’re in for a fun filled afternoon

15 July 2016

A fun-filled family afternoon with a host of environmentally-themed activities ranging from a live Harry Potter owl to scientific experiments are on offer in an Aberdeen park on Sunday 17 July.

The popular Environment Day in Duthie Park, which has been organised by Aberdeen City Council’s Duthie Park Rangers and sponsored by Friends of Duthie Park and Travelstock Packaging, will showcase a wide ranging variety of organisations with stalls and events offering interesting, fun and informative activities and exhibits.

Exhibitors at the annual summer event include the RSPB, Satrosphere, North East Scotland Biological Records Centre (NESBReC), the Open Air Laboratories network (OPAL), Aberdeen Bee Keepers’ Society, the Butterfly Conservation Society, The Allotments Market Stall, Aberdeen City Council Waste Aware, the Royal Horticultural Society of Aberdeen, Scottish Rural Colleges (SRUC), Aberdeen Bio-diversity Centre, Local Biodivaersity Action Plan (LBAP) and Aberdeen Play Forum.

Aberdeen City Council Communities, Housing and Infrastructure vice convener Councillor Jean Morrison said: “This is a great family fun summer event for all ages and an ideal way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

“Duthie Park is a beautiful part of the city with excellent amenities and we are delighted to be hosting Environment Day. There will be lots to see and do and take part in and it’s a great way to learn more about your environment and animal conservation.”

A Friends of Duthie Park spokesperson said: "The Friends are delighted to lend their support for what will be one of the highlights of the year in the park, combining loads of fun for all the family with some extremely important messages."

One of the stars of the event is Errol, an owl from the Owl and Pussycat Centre near Maud, who featured in the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Making an appearance for the first time is an exotic range of animals from Animates with informative and hands-on sessions which are designed to encourage a fun way of learning about our animal world.

Epi, the Brazilian Rainbow Boa Snake and Diago, the Argentine Red Tegu, Giant African Land Snails and African Train Millipedes along with other unusual animals will all be on show on Sunday.

The 134-year-old park is located beside the River Dee within easy walking, cycling and bus journey reach of the city centre.

The park’s features include boating ponds, playparks, a café, the Japanese Garden, and year-round facilities in the Winter Gardens café. There are fantastic walks around, and from, the 44-acre park, including on the Old Deeside Railway Line and along the River Dee.

The Environment Day will be held at Duthie Park Pavilion, from 12pm to 4pm. To avoid disappointment, arrive early from 12pm onwards to book a slot for an interactive session with the animals from Animates. Booking a slot for this event is only possible on the day.