Friends of Rowntree Park

21/08/2026

On Wednesday, representatives from Friends of Rowntree Park were invited to enjoy a day at York Racecourse as one of its 2026 Community Partners - with a chance to meet Her Majesty Queen Camilla during her visit to the Ebor Festival.

Friends of Rowntree Park was selected as one of the Racecourse's Community Partners this year alongside Bereaved Children Support York. The partnership includes a donation to our charity as well as opportunities to work together and support one another throughout the year.

The Queen asked about Friends of Rowntree Park and the work our we do and if we get enough volunteers. We explained that we're incredibly lucky to have a fantastic team of volunteers helping us care for and improve the park... but we could always do with a few more. Unfortunately, our time was up before we managed to get her signed up for a gardening session...!

And, while we didn't quite manage to recruit The Queen, anyone else is very welcome to volunteer...just saying! Register interest here:
https://www.rowntreepark.org.uk/volunteer

Thank you to the team at York Races - especially Phil and Rachel.

21/08/2026

Some new flowers have appeared in the 'Teenage Zone' of Rowntree Park...

Hope Blooms is a collaborative art project created with girls as part of Make Space York project and led by York creative Poppy Burr. During a workshop this summer, girls explored ideas around growth, belonging and connection, sharing their hopes for the future – for parks and public spaces, the environment, equality and equity, their communities and each other.

Their words and ideas were used to decorate these wooden flowers, specially made for the project by Brunswick Nursery, a fantastic York organisation providing supported work and training for people with learning disabilities.

The finished flowers are now nestled amongst the area teenage girls helped co-create. We've spent several years involving girls in shaping this part of the park, from choosing equipment and thinking about where it should go, to exploring what makes a space feel safe, welcoming and somewhere you belong. These creative projects are another way for girls to leave their mark on the park and see their ideas become part of the space itself.

The flowers are a small but visible reminder that girls have helped create this area and as a community we have found the funds to make their ideas become reality.

Follow the project on instagram

18/08/2026

We’d like to say a huge thank you to local company SERVPRO PLC for making a generous donation to the Friends of Rowntree Park.

SERVPRO got in touch with us because a number of people within the company have fond memories of Rowntree Park and care about its future. They wanted to support a local charity making a difference, and we’re delighted that they chose the Friends of Rowntree Park.

Their donation will help us continue to develop and care for the Wildlife Area, including supporting our Wildlife Area Lead, who plans and coordinates the area and runs our regular volunteer sessions.

The Wildlife Area is a diverse little corner of the park, with a wildlife pond, orchard, meadow areas, working willow and hazel, native hedging and habitats for everything from insects and amphibians to birds and small mammals. It’s also a place where volunteers can get involved, learn practical conservation skills and spend time together outdoors. The next session is Saturday 22nd August 10-12pm if interested -link below if interested.

As a small charity, support like this really does make a difference. It helps us not only improve the physical spaces within the park, but also support the people who bring volunteers together and make that work possible.

A huge thank you to everyone at SERVPRO for choosing to support Rowntree Park and helping us care for this special space for people and wildlife.

https://www.rowntreepark.org.uk/volunteer

17/08/2026

Huge congratulations to local skater Jyo, who has just completed her Skateboard GB coaching qualification!

Through Make Space York, we’ve had some brilliant experiences giving older girls opportunities to try different activities, including basketball and roller skating. Having supportive women facilitators has helped create relaxed spaces where girls can have a go, build confidence and try something new.

Skateboarding was something we’d wanted to explore too, but we hadn’t managed to find a local skateboard coach. Then Jyo got in touch.

Jyo is already part of the local skate community and often in Rowntree Park. She had been thinking about ideas to help girls/women who might be interested in skateboarding but perhaps feel nervous about trying it or heading into a busy skatepark - opportunities to skate together, meet other girls and build confidence without pressure and the chance to learn some basic skills.

Girls’ use of parks drops as they enter their teenage years, and we’re interested in all the different ways we can help girls stay active, try new things and feel confident and welcome in parks and public spaces.

Thanks to grant funding specifically supporting this work around teenage girls and parks, Make Space York and Friends of Rowntree Park have been able to support Jo’s Skateboard GB coaching qualification and plans that will follow.

This also sits alongside physical changes we’re making around the skatepark, including opening up part of the existing enclosure and creating a new seating and social area. It’s about supporting the great skate community that’s already there, while helping more people feel confident becoming part of it.

With thanks to the Movement, Activity and Sport Fund, David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. (North Yorkshire Sport). Our wider work around the Rowntree Park skatepark is also supported by the Police Community Fund and Micklegate Ward.

12/08/2026

Pizza in the Park was rather popular this evening.

Pizza and eclipse, the perfect combo! Who recreated the old Jaffa cake advert with pizza?

You’ll find Bistro Guy Events Catering near the teenage zone again on September 9th for the last pizza session of the year.

12/08/2026

Looking for an end of summer holiday adventure for children aged 8+?

Join the Wild Tribe for an afternoon of woodland fun in Rowntree Park, led by our experienced Forest School practitioners.

Children will spend the afternoon exploring nature, playing woodland games, creating natural crafts, discovering new outdoor skills and gathering around the campfire. They’ll also help prepare lunch to enjoy together around the fire.

No two Wild Tribe sessions are ever the same, so there’s always something new to discover.

Friday 4th September
1.00- 3.30pm
For ages 8+
Rowntree Park, York

Perfect for children who love being outdoors, getting creative, building confidence and making new friends.

Booking is essential - visit the link in our bio for details.
Https://Www.rowntreepark.org.uk/events/booking
,

12/08/2026

We need you! The Friends of Rowntree Park are looking for a Chair of Trustees.

To be honest, no one has expressed interest yet - so fingers crossed the right person is out there!

More info:
https://rowntreepark.org.uk/chair-of-trustees-for-the-friends-of-rowntree-park/

The Friends of Rowntree Park are looking for a new Chair of Trustees.

Over the last few years, our charity has grown significantly. Together we’ve expanded volunteering, created new wildlife habitats, delivered community events, supported thousands of park users and helped make Rowntree Park an even better place for everyone.

As Chair, you’ll work alongside our trustee board and Charity Manager to provide strategic leadership, support good governance and help shape the long-term future of the charity. You won’t be organising events or managing day-to-day activities. Trustees are volunteer who provide guidance and feedback.

You don’t need previous Chair experience. If you care about community, nature and making a positive difference, we’d love to hear from you.

If you’d like to find out more, visit our website (link below). Please help us spread the word by sharing this post – the right person may be in your network.

https://rowntreepark.org.uk/chair-of-trustees-for-the-friends-of-rowntree-park/

12/08/2026

Rowntree Park

The dry weather is a struggle for the park - low lake level and dry yellow grass, but the volunteer gardeners have still done an amazing job through the year - wouldn’t you agree?

The Friends of Rowntree Park are a tiny charity that helps maintain and improve the park. We fund gardening, projects and more and our volunteers do so much. If you spend time in the park, please consider helping us with £10 a year by being a member. It takes 2 mins to join but means a lot.
https://www.rowntreepark.org.uk/membership

11/08/2026

Rowntree Park Skatepark – we want your views

We're keen to hear from all park users - whether you use the skatepark, spend time nearby, walk past it or actively avoid the area.

The Friends of Rowntree Park planning are making some small changes skatepark to help make it feel safer, more welcoming and better connected to the rest of the park.

We'd like to understand how people currently use and feel about the area. This will give us a baseline so we can assess whether the changes make a difference and what changes may be wanted/needed in the future.

The survey is short and should only take a few minutes. We'd really appreciate your views.

Complete the survey here:
https://forms.gle/EZHAnvWcaEA97epC6

The improvements are being supported by funding from the Police Community Fund and the Micklegate Ward - and form part of the wider Make Space York work to create safer and more welcoming parks and public spaces.

10/08/2026

YOGA IN ROWNTREE PARK - WEEKNIGHT & WEEKEND CLASSES RUNNING UNTIL MID SEPTEMBER

This summer Harriet | yoga & seasonal living has been teaching beginner-friendly outdoor yoga classes in Rosemary’s Sensory Garden, the perfect spaces to unwind in nature and enjoy the beautiful garden.

Classes take place on:
Monday & Thursday evenings (18:30 - 19:30)
Saturday mornings (9:00 - 10:00)

The classes are designed to be accessible to all levels and beginner-friendly, offering a relaxed and welcoming space to move, breathe and unwind in nature. Harriet is passionate about getting people outdoors and sharing the benefits of yoga with others.

Advance booking is required, £7 drop-in per class with spaces available to book via the link in Harriet | yoga & seasonal living bio.

For more information or any questions, please contact Harriet directly on [email protected], and follow along on Instagram (Harriet | yoga & seasonal living) and Facebook (Yoga in the Park - Yorkshire) for updates.