June saw Rowntree Park buzzing with activity as the Make Space Festival returned for its fourth year.
Across two days, hundreds of girls and young women took part in a huge range of free activities designed to help them feel welcome, confident and included in York’s parks.
The programme offered something for everyone, with activities ranging from football, rugby, basketball, dance, cheerleading, yoga and orienteering through to photography, willow weaving, tote bag making, lino printing, riso poster creation, clay sculpting, needle felting, jewellery making and lip balm workshops. There was also live music throughout the weekend thanks to Emerging Talent, including performances from young musicians, open mic opportunities and the chance to try instruments in a supportive environment.
For many visitors, however, the highlight was simply seeing so many girls enjoying the park.
Creating parks that work for teenage girls
The Make Space York project began in Rowntree Park in 2021, following conversations with local teenage girls about their experiences of parks and public spaces.
Many described feeling less welcome in parks as they got older. Some felt too old for playgrounds, while others did not feel comfortable using spaces that were heavily focused on competitive sport. The project was established to better understand these experiences and work with girls to make positive changes.
Since then, local girls have helped shape improvements to the park, including the creation of an area with equipment specifically requested by them. Their ideas have also led to the annual Make Space Festival, which provides opportunities to try new things, meet new people, build confidence and enjoy spending time outdoors.
The project aims to challenge the well-documented drop-off in park use as girls enter their teenage years and demonstrate that parks can and should be welcoming spaces for everyone.
Supported by local partners and funders
The Friends of Rowntree Park are proud to support the Make Space York project and its ongoing work with girls and young women.
This year’s sports, activity and movement programme was supported through the Movement, Activity and Sport Fund, part of the Moving Forward campaign led by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Additional support came from a range of funders and partners who share the vision of creating more inclusive parks and opportunities for young people.
Thank you
The Friends of Rowntree Park would like to thank all of the facilitators, volunteers, performers, funders, parents, carers and, most importantly, the girls themselves who helped make this year’s festival such a success.
It was wonderful to see Rowntree Park full of activity, creativity and friendship, and to see so many girls taking up space and making the park their own. We look forward to continuing this work in the years ahead.
