Inspired by the initiative of the national ‘Make Space for Girls’ movement, local hero Abigail Gaines has transformed Rowntree Park into an oasis of female empowerment and community.
Make Space for Girls argue that almost all the parks in the country are designed with a default male lens so tend to exclude the interests of girls. Their research has found that only eight per cent of girls over the age of 13 meet minimum activity guidelines of just 60 minutes outside exercise each week. The charity believe this is all because we’ve designed our parks in such a way that they make teenage girls feel unsafe and unwelcome By limiting the type of activity girls get to experience, it limits who they think they can be, and how far they can go — while a lack of outdoor exercise can have a serious impact on both physical and mental health.
In June Abigail began the process of transforming York’s Rowntree Park into the country’s latest gender affirming space — through a special programme, Make Space for Girls in Rowntree Park. She organised regular sessions that included exercise classes, dance, fitness, crafts, photography and theatre to help girls from across our local community see Rowntree Park as a safe place to make new friends and learn new skills.
She explains: “We believe that every girl deserves access to public spaces and the opportunities they offer. Our events aim to inspire girls, build supportive networks with other girls and women, and try to change the fact that girls’ use of parks drops as they get older.”
Only weeks in from what began as a short-term passion project, Abigail received enough local ward funding to continue events throughout the rest of the summer.
“The vibe through the whole month was electric — it was so good to see so many girls in the public space trying new things such as Basketball, TikTok Dancing, and Orienteering. Being together helped create a sense of community and a common cause.”
Abigail’s programme excelled because it listened to what the girls actually wanted.
She explained “It’s important to me that the teen girls are involved in making change happen, to see that they can have an impact that leads to positive things.”
“I have as much right to be here as anyone else.”
Hearing from just one of the more than 250 girls who got involved demonstrates the massive impact the programme is already having: “I think it’s so important that us girls should feel welcome in parks. I had stopped coming as I felt there was nothing for me, but I know there are events for me and I have as much right to be here as anyone else.”
Abigail’s work at Rowntree Park has begun to develop an influence of its own. After appearing in the national press on multiple occasions, she was invited to speak at a conference by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracey Brabin at the launch of their ‘Safer Parks for Women & Girls’ guidance.
With plans to expand the programme across the city as far and wide as is possible, make Space for Girls might be offering accessible programmes at your local park very soon
“I would love to be able to extend the programme to other parks and open spaces in York, and work with local groups on the project. To make [York] a leading city in making parks more safe and welcoming to older girls, and women, would be amazing!”
To read more about the impact of the changes at Rowntree Park, head to www.rowntreepark.org.uk/make-space-for-girls.
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