Agents of Discovery combines adventure, nature and history in Tacoma parks with free app

This summer families can find adventure and excitement in Tacoma Parks with Agents of Discovery. The free app works on all smartphones and tablets and turns screen time into green time by offering a new way to experience your favorite parks or discover someplace new.

Open the app at a participating location to be greeted by an animal agent that delivers different prompts as you move through the park. Answer questions, complete short activities and test your knowledge while you learn interesting facts about local history, culture, ecosystems and safety.

Agents of Discovery uses augmented reality and geo-tracking to turn your device into a tool for guided outdoor activity. Starting July 1 and running through August 31, participate in the Puget Sound Explorers campaign for a chance to win prizes, including passes to regional attractions like Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Pacific Science Center, Tomb Raider Experience, Edgeworks Climbing + Fitness, High Trek Adventures and more.

“I want to welcome all Puget Sound Explorers to get to know our own local communities by playing Agents of Discovery,” said Michele Cardinaux, supervisor at the Tacoma Nature Center and co-chair of this year’s adventure campaign. “This is a fun new way to learn about history, cultural significance, nature, the environment, and much more.”

Parks Tacoma is hosting missions at Tacoma Nature Center, Lincoln Park, Charlotte’s Blueberry Park, McKinley Park, Swan Creek Park, Owen Beach and Wright Park. Other missions can be found nearby hosted by the City of Lakewood, Pierce County Parks and Kitsap County.

The Agents of Discovery app is free to install from Google Play or the App Store, and missions can be downloaded before you head out to the park. No data or Wi-Fi is required to play a mission once it has been downloaded, but the AR technology does require permission to use the device’s camera. The app uses voice-to-text technology for accessibility, and many missions can be played in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Korean, Mandarin and Arabic.

You can find more information on the Parks Tacoma website at ParksTacoma.gov/agentsofdiscovery.