Beyond distance - rethinking accessibility
Parks are meant to be for everyone.
But for many people, especially those from ethnic minority communities, they are not.
This new research shows that living near a park does not mean being able to use it. True accessibility goes far beyond distance. It is about safety, welcome, design, culture and whether people feel they belong.
Led by Your Park Bristol & Bath and the University of Bath, this report brings together lived experience, research and co-design to redefine what accessible parks really mean for different ethnicities.
The report is a plain English summary of our academic study published in Nature: Urban Sustainability Journal. See the academic paper here.
Download the report
Or request your copy of Beyond Distance: Rethinking accessibility to parks for different ethnicities at: access@yourpark.org.uk.
See a summary of a peer reviewed academic paper by the University of Bath.
Why this research matters
Parks and green spaces play a vital role in physical health, mental wellbeing and social connection. Evidence consistently shows they reduce stress, support community cohesion and improve quality of life.
Yet access to these benefits is unequal.
In Bristol, people from ethnic minority backgrounds are more likely to live within walking distance of a park, but significantly less likely to use them regularly. Distance based planning standards fail to explain this gap.
This research asks a different question:
What stops people using parks even when they are close by?
What we did
This study combined quantitative data with lived experience to understand real world barriers to park use.
The research included:
- An online survey of 243 Bristol residents aged 18 to 75
- Five focus groups with 42 participants
- A participatory design workshop with 10 participants
Participants included people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, income levels and life stages, with a focus on locations where people are least likely to use parks.
The work was led by Dr Zina Abdullah and colleagues at the University of Bath, in partnership with Your Park Bristol & Bath.
What we found
- Safety is the biggest barrier to park use
- Cleanliness and maintenance affect trust and dignity
- Many people feel unwelcome or judged in parks
- Parks are not designed for communal and multi generational use
- Dogs, especially off lead, are a major and under recognised barrier
- Basic amenities like toilets, seating and shade matter deeply
People often travel far to reach parks that feel safer, cleaner and more welcoming, even when closer parks exist.
A new way of understanding accessibility
The report introduces a three tier framework for accessible parks
Tier 1 – Provision
Parks are nearby and free to access.
Tier 2 – Basic needs
Parks feel safe, clean and welcoming, with toilets, seating, lighting and accessible paths.
Tier 3 – Belonging
Parks support culture, community life and a sense of ownership.
Accessibility requires all three.
What needs to change
The report sets out practical recommendations for planners, councils and park managers, including:
- Improving safety through design and presence
- Designing for group and multi generational use
- Managing dog presence more effectively
- Investing in maintenance, especially in deprived areas
- Creating inclusive spaces for teenagers, girls, Disabled people and older adults
Read the report
Or request your copy of Beyond Distance: Rethinking accessibility to parks for different ethnicities at: access@yourpark.org.uk.
See a summary of a peer reviewed academic paper by the University of Bath.
