Southsea Rock Garden – Nature Rubbing Trail

Project: Bringing nature to life with an interactive family trail

Project: Bringing nature to life with an interactive family trail

primaDURA

At a Glance

The Brief

After securing National Lottery funding, Southsea Rock Gardens in Portsmouth,  wanted to create a Nature Rubbing Trail, to encourage children and families to explore pollinators, biodiversity, and local wildlife within this historic public garden.

Any installed interpretation needed to be inclusive, educational, and capable of withstanding constant public use.

The Challenge

The project required a signage solution that could support a hands-on, tactile learning experience while performing reliably in a busy outdoor environment.

Key requirements included:

  • Accessibility for children of all ages
  • Engagement without reliance on smartphones or Wi-Fi
  • Long-term durability in an exposed, public setting
  • Resistance to vandalism and frequent handling
  • Clear, layered information suitable for both children and adults

Maintaining visual quality over time was essential, particularly where wildlife imagery played a key role in engagement.

The Solution

We developed a series of rubbing plaque posts, combining tactile interaction with informative interpretation panels.

Each installation integrates:

  • A rubbing plaque designed for repeated use
  • A high-quality backing panel featuring wildlife photography
  • Supporting educational content for parents and teachers
  • Simple “Did you know?” facts to create memorable learning moments

primaDURA was specified to deliver the required combination of visual clarity, durability, and long-term performance.

The system’s excellent colour reproduction ensures wildlife imagery remains vibrant and legible, while its robust, easy-clean and vandal-resistant properties make it ideally suited to environments used heavily by children and families.

The use of primaDURA ensures the installation continues to perform and look good over time, despite frequent use and exposure, reducing maintenance demands and protecting the long-term value of the project.

This project demonstrates how durable, well-finished interpretation signage can support community-led initiatives while delivering a reliable, visually engaging solution for historic public spaces.

Finishes Used For This Project

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Products Used

Solutions For Every Application

From materials to finishes, our signage products are selected to deliver exceptional results. Designed for both performance and aesthetic impact, they help every project make a lasting impression.

Products Used

Solutions For Every Application

From materials to finishes, our signage products are selected to deliver exceptional results. Designed for both performance and aesthetic impact, they help every project make a lasting impression.