The Green Flag Award has launched the second edition of its Safer Parks: Improving Access for Women and Girls guidance, a comprehensive resource designed to make public spaces safer and more inclusive. Women are three times more likely to feel unsafe in parks, highlighting the urgent need for change. This updated guidance, created in collaboration with the University of Leeds, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Make Space for Girls, and Keep Britain Tidy, provides practical steps for park designers, managers, and security teams to address these concerns.
For the first time, the guidance has been formally endorsed by the Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) and integrated into their Secured by Design framework, a significant step in linking crime prevention strategies with park planning and design. This strengthens the commitment to creating environments that not only feel welcoming but also actively deter crime.
Built around three central themes – Eyes on the Park, Awareness, and Inclusion – the guidance offers clear principles and practical “quick wins” for improving safety and accessibility. These measures are aimed at ensuring that parks remain vibrant community spaces that are accessible and enjoyable for everyone, especially women and girls.
The guidance is also gaining global traction, influencing policies through its inclusion in the internationally recognised Green Flag Award scheme. With over 27,000 parks across the UK alone, the potential impact is far-reaching. As Mayor Tracy Brabin stated, “We know precisely what must change.” This initiative marks an important step toward creating safer, more inclusive green spaces that foster confidence, wellbeing, and equality in communities worldwide.
Access the guidance here.
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