Over the past decade, efforts to revitalise parks have encouraged more people to enjoy local outdoor spaces. Design guidance such as Sport England’s Active Design, Local Plans, and the Town and Country Planning Association’s principles have helped create more inclusive, accessible parks.
Yet design alone cannot make people — especially women — feel safe. Research by the ONS (2021) shows that one-in-six women feel unsafe in parks during the day, rising to four-in-five after dark. Harassment, unwanted comments, and misogyny deter many from returning, and most women feel unable to challenge such behaviour or expect help from others (Barker et al., 2022).
To address this, Green Flag Award, Keep Britain Tidy, the University of Leeds, and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust have launched a campaign running until 15th October. Their ‘Safer Parks Campaign Toolkit’ promotes the internationally recognised 5Ds of intervention — Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct — to help people challenge harassment safely and effectively.
Beyond design, planners and local leaders must consider how community culture and social interaction influence feelings of safety. By combining good design with greater social awareness, we can create parks that not only look welcoming but genuinely feel safe and inclusive for everyone.