Making Space for Girls

Why do we need to make space for girls in parks?

Teenage girls are one of the least visible groups in many parks and public spaces. Yet when spaces are designed with their needs in mind, everyone benefits. This page is designed for councils, planners, landscape architects, developers, park managers, public health teams and community organisations who want to better understand the issue and explore practical ways to create more welcoming parks and public spaces. The best people to explain why this matters are the girls themselves.

Watch this video and see what girls
from across the UK have to say.‍

Creating parks that work for more people

Creating parks that work better for teenage girls is often a route to creating parks that work better for more people.

Make Space for Girls focuses on teenage girls because they are one of the groups most often overlooked in the design of parks and public spaces. However, this isn't about excluding anyone.

Many of the changes girls ask for places to socialise, opportunities for informal activity, adventurous play, better lighting, clearer wayfinding, welcoming layouts and a stronger sense of belonging- also benefit non-binary and gender diverse young people, many boys, disabled people, older adults and the wider community.

Designing for those who are currently underserved often creates better public spaces for everyone.

What are girls telling us?

"I don't feel welcome in the play park. Parents think you are too old to be there, but there is no where else to go."

"The sports areas are full of boys and I don't feel like I should be there. I want to spend time with friends - swinging and chatting."

"No one asks us what we want. If they do ask, they ask those who are there already. They need to ask us why we don't use parks."

What the evidence tells us

90% of users of skate parks, MUGAs and bike tracks are boys and young men

68% of girls say there is nothing for them to do in parks

59% of girls don't feel welcome in parks because the spaces are dominated by boys.

78% of girls in West Yorkshire felt parks were unsafe for them.
(89% of park professionals felt their parks were safe for women and girls).

These figures don't mean facilities should be removed.
They do suggest we need to ask whether parks are working equally well for everyone.

Where to start

There isn't a single solution that will work everywhere. Every community is different.
But there are some principles that consistently help create more inclusive parks.
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1. Talk to girls
Teenage girls are experts in their own lives. Meaningful engagement
should be the starting point for any review of parks and public spaces.
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2. Look at who is using spaces
‍Don't just count facilities. Observe who is using them and who isn't.
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3. Think beyond sport
‍Sports facilities matter. But many girls also want opportunities for socialising, hanging out, swinging, climbing, relaxing and informal activity.
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4. Consider safety differently
‍Safety isn't just about crime statistics. It includes visibility, belonging, comfort and confidence.
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5. Start small
‍Better seating, lighting, signage, planting, swings and activation activities can all make a difference.
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Taking the next steps

Every park is different. The most successful projects begin by listening to local girls, understanding how spaces are used and making changes that reflect local needs.

The most successful projects don't begin with a catalogue of equipment or a preconceived solution. They begin by listening to local girls, understanding how parks are used and asking who is missing from public space. We hope the video helps with a useful starting point, and there are some resources on this page to some basic information that can be utilised by councils, planners, designers, park managers and community organisations who want to create parks that are more welcoming and inclusive for teenage girls - and, in doing so, create better public spaces for everyone.
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Help us help you...

Whether this video and information helps you start a conversation, review a park, engage with young people, influence a project or simply think differently about public space, we'd love to hear from you.

Your feedback will help us improve where we focus as a charity, help us plan future resources, understand the impact of this work and continue building the evidence for creating more inclusive parks.

This video was created as part of a project funded by ROSA - Voices from the Frontline. One of the most important ways we can demonstrate its impact is by understanding how it is being used.

Links to resources

Understand the issue

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Practical Guidance

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Planning & Policy

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Research & Evidence

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Case Studies

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Engagement

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Understand the issue

Practical Guidance

Planning & Policy

Research & Evidence

Working with Make Space for Girls

Make Space for Girls is a small charity. We share evidence, guidance and examples of good practice to help others create change. Where funding and capacity allow, we may also be able to provide support through training, engagement, consultancy or advice. If you'd like to tell us how you're using these resources, discuss a project or explore how we might be able to help, please get in touch.