If you venture into York this summer, you may come face-to-face with a lion, bear or elephant.
But don’t panic – they are entirely harmless! These are just three of an entire menagerie of grass animals which will be dotted around the city centre.
Other creatures to be featured include a sausage dog, sheep, duck, rabbit – and even a snail! And the word ‘YORK’ will be spelled out in vegetation too.
The eye-catching decorations created from artificial grass will form part of the seating areas in the city centre this summer.
The colourful al fresco areas are being installed again by the York BID (Business Improvement District).
A total of 72 benches are being put in place, so residents and visitors will never be far away from a lovely spot to sit and chill.
Animal designs are being incorporated into some of the benches too, including a dog and a pig.
And it will be another summer where the streets will be brightened up by colourful floral displays. Forty planters are already in place, with another 160 to come.
After the success of the Buzz About York project last year, the plants will again be pollinator friendly, helping bees and other insects survive and thrive.
For the first time this summer, seating is being placed in Tower Gardens, a great spot to watch the river roll by.
Also new for this year, two of the benches are made entirely from recycled plastic. You can find them near the Explore York central library.
