Bucks County Attractions To Be Turned Into Panoramic Images For Google

Using powerful Google 360-degree photography equipment, Bucks County tourism officials will be allowing internet users to take virtual tours of some of the area’s most popular attractions.

Starting in the coming weeks, the official tourism agency for Bucks County will have staff strap on a 40-pound Google Street View Trekker camera system and walk Core Creek Park in Middletown, Tyler Park in Newtown,  Washington Crossing Park in Upper Makefield and portions of the 60-mile Bucks County section of the Delaware Canal tow path that stretches from Bristol to the Lehigh Valley as part of the effort to capture Bucks County’s beauty, according to Visit Bucks County representative Rachel Lewullis.

The high-tech program, which is part of the Google Street View project, was announced last week at a special event marking National Travel and Tourism Week at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska.

Paul Bencivengo, vice president of Visit Bucks County, said the Street View Trekker will allow people to get a closer look at all Bucks County has to offer when planning trips.

A similar undertaking was done by the team that markets Michigan. Workers from the tourism officer and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources traveled across the state for four weeks to capture 360-degree images.

The backpack-based system features 15 lenses attached to a round housing unit. All of the cameras capture different images that are fused together using special programs to create panoramic views.

Visit Bucks County officials said more about the program will be released in the coming weeks.

Also at the event, the group touted increase tourism dollars being brought in Bucks County and noted they are excited for the Pope’s upcoming visit. Bencivengo said Visit Bucks County will continue to tune up their website and plans to launch a large marketing campaign in Long Island, New York this year.