Why living near a park does not always mean being able to use it for different ethnicities

New research by Your Park Bristol & Bath and the University of Bath reveals that many people from ethnic minority communities are less likely to use local parks, not because they live too far away, but because parks often do not feel safe, welcoming or designed for them.

The study found that people from ethnic minority backgrounds are around 40% less likely to regularly visit parks and green spaces than white residents, despite often living closer to them. This challenges traditional ideas of accessibility that focus mainly on distance.

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Read the report

Download and read the full report here.

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What the research found

The study identified several key reasons why minority ethnic groups are not using their local parks, even when they are nearby.

These include concerns about safety, such as poor lighting, anti social behaviour and fear of harassment.

Dogs, particularly when off lead, were repeatedly raised as a barrier. This affected older people, children with autism and people from ethnic minority communities who reported fear of dogs and negative experiences with dog owners.

Many participants also described feeling unwelcome or judged in parks, especially when using spaces in large family or community groups. Parks were often seen as being designed for individual use, rather than for social, cultural or multi generational activities.

Cleanliness and maintenance also played a major role, with participants describing broken play equipment, overflowing bins, discarded needles and dirty or inaccessible toilets.

There was also a clear lack of age appropriate activities for older children and teenagers, particularly girls.

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Join us on 19 Feb to hear more about the findings and discuss potential solutions.

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Listening to lived experience

Researchers

The research was led by PhD researcher Zina Abdulla from the University of Bath in partnership by Your Park Bristol & Bath. It is the first UK study to explore the social, cultural and emotional barriers to park use in this level of depth.

Zina said:

“This research shows that while physical access matters, it is not enough. Many people are excluded from parks because they do not feel safe, welcome or represented. Improving inclusivity is just as important as improving paths, signage or entrances.”

Participants shared powerful accounts of how these barriers affect their lives, including fears around dogs, safety and poor maintenance, and feelings of being out of place in certain parks.

Why this matters

Charlee Bennett, Chief Executive of Your Park Bristol & Bath, said:

“This research confirms what many communities have been telling us for years. Parks are not equally welcoming for everyone. If we want people to benefit from the huge health and wellbeing value of green spaces, we need to address the social and cultural barriers as well as the physical ones.”

The findings will be used to inform future park design, policy and investment, particularly in areas facing higher levels of deprivation.

Read the report

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What happens next

The team is now developing a policy briefing to support Councils, planners and decision makers to take these findings forward.

There is a knowledge sharing event in February for anyone interested. You can come to hear more about the research findings and explore potential solutions:

  • Date: Thursday 19 February 2026
  • Time: 12.30-2pm
  • Location: The Engine Shed, Bristol or online
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Read the report

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You can read the full summary report and the peer reviewed academic paper to explore the findings in more detail.

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Help us ensure that everyone can enjoy parks and their transformational health and wellbeing benefits.

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