Find out about the ‘Make Space for Girls’ Festival in May Half Term & June held in various parks in York.There are over 30 free events and activities happening in Rowntree Park during the festival which aims to encourage teenage girls to engage in public spaces, try new things, meet new people, and have fun!
The ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park June Festival ran for the very first time in 2023 and achieved national recognition as the winner of the Green Flag Award for the ‘Best Initiative to engage and increase the use of parks by women and girls’. This was a new category for the awards and shows the recognition that there is a need to create welcoming and safe parks for women and girls.
Events in 2024 include: Sports & Exercise Arts & Crafts Performing Arts – Theatre, Dance, Music Creative Writing & Poetry Nature Crafts & Wellbeing Sessions Photography And more
The majority of the events will still take place in Rowntree Park, some events will be at Homestead Park and Westbank Park too.
Events are primarily aimed at 10-18 years olds, with some suitable for younger and women too. Events are free to attend but most need booking in advance. You can sign up the mailing list to be the first to hear when the full programme is released – sign up here!
The Make Space for Girls Festival 2024 has been made possible with support from The Friends of Rowntree Park, Benenden Health, the National Lottery Community Fund and The Mount School.
Why do we need to ‘Make Space for Girls’ in parks?The ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park project has been running since 2021 with a focus on reversing the trend of girls using parks less than boys as they enter their teenage years. Given the significant benefits of parks for physical and mental health and wellbeing, it’s crucial that teenage girls, as well as women, feel welcome and safe in these spaces.
As it stands, when councils build facilities for teenagers it is often skateparks, MUGAs, basketball courts and BMX tracks, and as it stands – 90% of users are male. Therefore, it’s important that the views of teenage girls should be considered when planning or improving parks. There are things that can be done to encourage girls to use the existing facilities, but there are also additional facilities that could be added to parks that teenage girls, and many boys, want. ‘Play’ is also important to teenagers, not just sport, and parks are great places for teenagers to develop independence – a free place where they need to feel welcome to ‘just be’.
The ‘Make Space for Girls’ in Rowntree Park project was set up in 2021 by Abigail Gaines of the Friends of Rowntree Park and The Tiny Roar CIC. The project started with research and engagement to look at Rowntree Park and how to make it more inclusive and welcoming to teenage girls. The work was inspired by national organisation Make Space for Girls who aim to raise awareness that parks need to be designed with teenage girls in mind and campaign for change. Abigail also works as an associate for the organisation, but the work in Rowntree Park is her own project.
Research and engagement with local girls in York has resulted in the project focusing on two main areas:
1. To co-create an area in Rowntree Park that teenage girls have requested, with facilities they desire.
2. To host more events and activities for teenage girls.
The Make Space for Girls June Festival brings a range of events and activities to York parks, so teenage girls can try new things, meet new people, and feel welcome in the public space.
In addition to the festival, a new area to ‘welcome’ teenage girls to Rowntree Park is being created. Over the last two years, the project has managed to secure enough funding to make ‘phase 1’ happen. This includes adding a basket swing, and some benches to an area – things local girls stated would help them feel more welcome in the park. The main funders of this area are the Sweaty Betty Foundation, the Whitwam Family Charitable Foundation and the Micklegate Ward. With some additional support from the Tesco Stronger Starts fund. Around £40k is needed for phase 2 of what the girls would like which includes a shelter and some agility equipment.
Note – installation on the area has started on 29th April – aim is to have an opening (mini) party on the weekend of 11-12th May (TBC) to thank the girls for all their input and thank the funder!
