PlayForward

In parks across England every Saturday morning, a quiet revolution is taking place. Women of all ages are not just participating in play—they’re leading it, transforming underutilised green spaces into vibrant hubs of activity, connection, and joy.

At ParkPlay, we’re proud that 60% of our participants are women and girls, bucking the traditional trend of male-dominated physical activity spaces. But what’s even more inspiring is how women are stepping up as PlayLeaders, becoming the driving force behind community transformation through play.

The Play Crisis and Women’s Response

The recent ‘State of Play’ Interim Report from the Raising the Nation Play Commission paints a concerning picture—a 50% decline in outdoor play time within a generation, closure of over 400 playgrounds, and reduction in school playtime. As these statistics emerged, women in communities across England weren’t content to simply acknowledge the problem—they decided to be part of the solution.

Louise Parkin from Sheffield is one such leader. “When I first came to ParkPlay, I was just looking for something my children could enjoy,” she shares. “Three months later, I found myself training as a PlayLeader. I saw how play was disappearing from our community and thought, ‘If not me, then who will bring it back?'”

This sentiment echoes across our network, where women are reclaiming play not as a luxury but as a necessity for community wellbeing.

Creating Inclusive Play Spaces

Susan Hall’s journey with ParkPlay in Basildon demonstrates how women leaders are particularly skilled at creating genuinely inclusive environments. “I notice things others might miss,” Susan explains. “When a child holds back or a parent seems hesitant, I can often connect with them in ways that make them feel welcome.”

This inclusive approach has proven crucial in addressing the “anti-play” culture highlighted in the Play Commission report. Where children playing outside might once have been seen as a nuisance, our female PlayLeaders are helping shift community perceptions, showing how structured yet flexible play opportunities in public spaces can benefit everyone.

As one parent noted: “My daughter has autism, and ADHD and never has the motivation to do anything. She gets bullied a lot at school as a result, so it’s lovely to see her excited about going to ParkPlay where everyone is friendly, and all people are involved and kind to each other.”

Benefits Beyond Physical Activity

For women and girls specifically, the benefits of ParkPlay extend well beyond physical health. In communities where female participation in outdoor activities has traditionally been lower, ParkPlay offers:

1. A non-intimidating entry point to physical activity – 78% of our participants identify as inactive or fairly active before joining, compared to a national average of 39%
2. Intergenerational connection – Unlike many sports programs that separate by age and gender, ParkPlay brings multiple generations together, creating valuable social networks
3. Leadership development – Women who begin as participants often discover leadership skills, they didn’t know they had, with many progressing to become volunteer or paid PlayLeaders
4. Mental wellbeing benefits – 81% of ParkPlayers report improved mental wellbeing, with many women citing reduced isolation and increased confidence

As Karen, a PlayLeader in Cornwall, shares: “I started volunteering after seeing the positive impact ParkPlay had on my 9-year-old daughter’s confidence after just three weeks.”

Play Is for Everyone

While this blog celebrates women’s contributions to the play revolution, it’s important to emphasise that ParkPlay is fundamentally about inclusivity for all. Our parks welcome everyone – men taking active roles as PlayLeaders and participants, young people discovering the joy of unstructured play, over-60s reconnecting with their playful spirits, families from diverse ethnic backgrounds finding common ground, and people with different abilities all playing together.

The beauty of ParkPlay lies in its ability to create spaces where diversity flourishes

As we champion women’s leadership, we simultaneously celebrate the colourful tapestry of communities coming together every Saturday morning, united by the simple joy of play. This inclusivity is not incidental, it’s essential to our mission of building happier, healthier communities where everyone belongs.

Building Sustainable Play Communities

What makes the female-led play revolution particularly powerful is its sustainability. Rather than importing external “experts,” ParkPlay empowers local women to become the catalysts for change in their own communities.

These leaders don’t just facilitate play—they build play cultures that continue beyond the Saturday sessions. They transform parks from spaces people simply pass through to genuine community hubs where connections flourish.

Join the Revolution

As we look to expand to 250 ParkPlays by 2027, we need more women (and men!) to join this movement. Whether you’re looking to participate, volunteer, or lead, ParkPlay offers a way to be part of restoring play to its rightful place at the heart of childhood, adulthood and community life.

We would love forward-thinking organisations and brands to become part of this play revolution. Just as Decathlon UK has recognised the power of community play by partnering with us, we welcome conversations with other organisations who share our vision of more active, connected communities. Together, we can amplify this movement and create lasting change in how society values play.

The crisis of play deprivation requires multiple, complementary solutions working in concert. As we champion women, in this month of IWD, let’s finish with this – Women across England are proving that sometimes, the most powerful change starts with something as simple as showing up in a park on Saturday morning and saying: “Let’s play!”

The revolution is happening in your local park. Will you join us? #MeetMovePlay

Find your local ParkPlay

Please visit our ParkPlay Parks page to find your local ParkPlay and come and join us for your ParkPlay session. We play every Saturday morning.