When we started the ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park project in Autumn 2021, it involved gathering any existing research and data from the UK and elsewhere. At this stage, this was an emerging area of research and resources were limited. However it was clear that use of parks drops as girls enter their teens, and that the facilities council build for teenagers in parks are dominated by boys and men. Therefore, we wanted to know what was happening in Rowntree Park and how we could take steps to create a more welcoming, and inclusive, park for teenager girls.
Between 2021 and 2022 we did the following:
-Survey of girls age 10-18
-Focus group sessions with girls 10-16 x 3
-Drop in stalls x 3
-Awareness day/stall with the University of York as part of the Festival of Social Sciences (2022)
-Observations for teenage facility use in the park
-Follow up survey involving girls AND boys age 10-18
– Raised awareness in the local press, our own blogs, and talked to our local MP and councillors.
Summary of findings from quantitative and qualitative data:
What teenage girls like/use in Rowntree Park:
- Circular picnic benches to sit and talk to friends
- Swings and climbing equipment
- Engaging in nature – seeing the plants, flowers, trees, wildlife.
- Open spaces such as the amphitheatre/stage, where you can rollerblade/cycle/perform/ or just sit.
- Open spaces like the railed gardens – a space to play but with places to sit and chat (around picnic benches).
- Wildlife area/pond dipping area and story circle (but only with friends as these areas are tucked away).
In addition to the physical features in the park it’s been noted that the girls like the park to have a range of ages in it. They also like seeing the park as a community venue – we have activities such as dance classes, pilates and yoga, Tai Chi, music events, forest school, and more. Although most of these classes/activities are not aimed at older girls, girls like seeing the activities happening as it makes the park feel welcoming and safer for them. One local girl gets out and about around the park alone or with friends looking for ‘Pokemon Spots’ after school and in the early evenings – having this app on her phone encourages her to go for walks.
What older girls don’t like/don’t use:
- The majority won’t use the skatepark/basketball courts as there are too many boys, and the areas are enclosed/caged so they seem unwelcoming.
- Toilets can be unclean/vandalised
- They feel they shouldn’t be in the small play park where the swings are or other equipment that they might want to use.
- They feel less safe in the evenings as there are less adults about – the basketball courts and skateparks get busier and large groups of boys are more likely to be around.
It’s been suggested that things to look at and things to do makes the park more interesting. We do have tree trails and art in the park. Feedback has suggested that information boards work better for trails than having to pick up a leaflet to do them.
Rowntree Park: What older girls would like to see:
- More swings and climbing equipment added (but not in small children’s play area)
- More benches near play areas (circular picnic benches were suggested).
- Girl-only activities/sports led by a female
- Having their views/suggestions considered and being involved in making change (thus feeling part of the community).
Worth noting that the suggestions made by local girls are currently based on limited knowledge of what a park could include. It is possible that designs in the future will be shaped by girls’ feedback regarding what they enjoy.
The statistics: Rowntree Park Research (2021):
Play not sport!
What was clear in the research is that teenage girls want facilities for ‘play’ not sport. Teenage ‘play’ is not like younger children’s play in some ways – they want to mildly exercise and play whilst socialising. This is why social seating, swings and basic climbing/agility equipment scored highly as wants. Also social seating under a shelter was also another thing wanted – a place to meet friends whatever the weather.
Women In Sport/Yorkshire Sport’s report on barriers to parks for teenage girls 2022:
Rowntree Park: What are we doing, and what next?
Based on engagement, the aims of the project became:
-Create an area in Rowntree Park with equipment girls asked for (open May 2024, added to in June 2026)
-Looking at how we can improve existing facilities such as the skate park and basketball courts.
-Look at the park holistically and steps we can take to make it feel safer, and more welcoming, to teenager girls, and women.
-Running more events and activities for teenager girls, and women – including the Make Space York festival that has run each June since 2023..
-Continuing to raise awareness of the project, and expand it across York.
-Supporting others getting started on similar projects in their own local area, including councils and Friends groups.
Change takes time and money! Therefore we continue to fundraise to make the change happen! If you want to support us – get in touch!