Local parks and greenspaces are important to young people, their families and their local communities. Young people have a willingness to be involved in their local parks, bringing new creative ideas with them and the interest in taking on leadership roles. Local parks and greenspaces are one of the places in society where they feel that they can go, as meeting places to socialise with friends, but they do not always feel like they’re accepted there.
Especially at these difficult times with COVID-19 restrictions, parks have been closed in some areas for safety reasons, but to also avoid young people meeting in the evening to socialise in parks. There is a lot of stigma about young people meeting in groups. The negative stereotypes attached to young people around anti-social behaviour and gangs can mean that they are moved out of parks or these spaces are closed at particular times to prevent them from using these important community spaces.
In the future, parks will need to be flexible in their approach to engaging young people.
Connecting with those who already work with young people, such as local schools, colleges, youth groups and public services, could form a supportive network for park management groups and young people.
With the oncoming recession and increase in youth unemployment, these types of opportunities could help a young person gain skills and experience that they can use in their personal and career development. The physical and mental health benefits parks and local greenspaces bring will support young people in these strange and uncertain times whilst thinking about the current and future climate and nature crisis that their generation will have to face and live through.
