Welcome to the Friends of Rowntree Park
Volunteers who help maintain and improve Rowntree Park in York.
We love Rowntree Park!
The Friends of Rowntree Park are a registered charity. Our volunteers love Rowntree Park in York and help care for it. Our volunteers do activities such as garden, litter pick, help with wildlife, run community events and projects, as well as focusing on education and mental health and wellbeing.
We run a membership scheme where anyone can join the Friends of Rowntree Park. This money helps funds the work we do.
We have a small group of dedicated volunteers that want to make Rowntree Park the best it can be. We are actively looking for new volunteers – whether a one-off or a more regular thing, we’d love to hear from you!
Rowntree Park
An amazing park close to the centre of York. Playgrounds, a library-cafe, skatepark, tennis courts, basketball court, ponds, woodland walks and more!
The Park is managed by the council The Friends help maintain and improve it. The Cafe is run separately by run by York Explore. You can find out more here about the council’s role.
The Friends of Rowntree Park
As a charity, we depend on our fantastic supporters. You can become a member from as little as £5 a year. This money helps us improve the park for the community.
Events
We run a range of events for all ages. Many of these tend to focus on natural and ‘eco’ themes.
For children we have a range of events through the year that include regular events like Forest School, Home education sessions, and the Very Young Friends of Rowntree Park, as well as one-off special events. Adults events also tend to follow a nature/eco theme and range from things like nature crafts, bird watching, art and mindfulness. We also run musical and art events through the summer months when able.
We handle bookings for the park – if you’d like to run and event or activity in the park, do get in touch!
Community events
Nursery and School events
Memorial bench for Rosemary
Sadly one of our key volunteers, Rosemary Bentley died at Christmas 2021. We’d like to thank all who have donated toward a memorial bench and tree to remember Rosemary. Rosemary (left) was a key member of the Friends, she led a gardening group and helped develop the Sensory garden. She was fully involved in all the Friends did – she loved the park and her community. Her tree and bench are situated in the Sensory garden she cared for – now known as Rosemary’s Sensory Garden.
Volunteer with us!
Have fun and help your local park! We have a range of volunteer opportunities available and would love your help. Whether a one-off or a more regular thing, we’d love to hear from you.
Together let’s make the most of ‘Our Backyard’
