Parkwatch: The Results
In May 2023, Make Space for Girls asked people to take part in a citizen science project, counting how many teenagers were using the facilities in their local park, and how many of these were girls. This report sets out the results. The data shows how much girls really are designed out of parks.
The Parkwatch results are in
We asked you to help us Make Space for Girls by going to the park and do one simple thing – count. And hundreds of you did. So for the first time we have proper data on who is using the MUGAs (Multi-Use Games Areas – fenced pitches or cages), skate parks and BMX tracks.
The short summary is that 90% of the facilities out there are dominated by boys, who are 90% of the users.
All the rest of the data is in the report which can be downloaded below. If you want more research, guidance or information, there's plenty more available in our Resources Library. Or drop us a line on the contact form.
88% of the teenagers using the facilities were boys.
The vast majority of what is provided ‘for teenagers’ in parks consists of skateparks, BMX tracks or MUGAs (Multi-Use Games Areas, i.e. fenced pitches for football or basketball).
92%
84%
94%
“It’s is mostly boys that are there. If you go up, they’ll just start shouting at you.” But girls don’t have anywhere else to go.
90% of the facilities are used 90% by boys and young men.
In addition to the count, we surveyed the provision for teenagers and young people in over 91 councils across the country. What we found is that the facilities dominated by boys also dominate the park landscape.
Download the report, share it with your council, your local park, the press or on social media - and with anyone else you think should know.
