Roarsome news as Leeds Jurassic Trail to return in 2021

As part of the sequel to last year’s successful trail, organisers invited kids from across the county to create the first ever Yorkshiresaurus with the winning entry used to inspire the final full-size version of the new animatronic beast.

And after almost 100 entries a judging panel organised by Child Friendly Leeds hailed Keera Turner’s design as the winner. The 13-year-old from Wakefield included the famous white rose of Yorkshire on its head, giant Ys down its spine and even showed it chewing on some Yorkshire tea leaves.

The entry will now be interpreted by designers to make the real thing as part of the return of the UK’s biggest city centre animatronic dinosaur trail next summer.

Leeds Jurassic Trail 2 will include more dinosaurs than its 2019 debut, with plans to show creatures across more locations that will play home to the full-size moving, roaring creatures and other activities – all completely free to see.

Winner, Keera, said: “I love drawing and I want to be a palaeontologist so having the chance to design a dinosaur with all the best parts of Yorkshire on it was great. I can’t believe I've won. Thank you!”

Organisers LeedsBID are now leading on plans to unveil the trail in summer 2021 as current Covid-19 restrictions mean it would be unlikely possible to fully take place this summer.

More than 100,000 trail maps were snapped up last time around and the BID is ready to make the most of the opportunity to encourage people back on to the city’s streets with a roar.

Andrew Cooper, Chief Executive of LeedsBID, said: “Our plans for the next Leeds Jurassic Trail are massive – literally. And while it’s disappointing we can’t bring it this year, it’s the right thing to do given the current Covid-19 situation. LeedsBID and our visionary partners aren’t in the business of doing things by half, which is why we are waiting until next year when it will be well worth the wait.

“The ingenuity and creativity displayed in these entries was really something. What came across in every entry was children’s pride and passion for Yorkshire, something we all share, so choosing a winner was in itself a challenge.

“These are without doubt challenging times, but we aren’t standing still – instead we’re looking to the future. Together we will not only help the city centre recover, but thrive and grow. We have always said this needs to be a summer holiday attraction, so visitors and businesses can rest assured it will be big.”

Leeds Jurassic Trail 2 is led by LeedsBID in partnership with several leading shopping centres including Trinity Leeds, Victoria Leeds, Merrion Centre and Leeds Kirkgate Market alongside St John’s, The Core, The Light and backed by Child Friendly Leeds.

To find out more, visit: leedsjurassictrail.co.uk

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