Mindset Support

Interesting! Such a great idea.

Why do teenage girls always ask for specific seating in parks?

One of the most common responses we hear when we talk to teenage girls about what would encourage them to use parks more is - seating.

However others may think: “But there are already benches in the park.”

And that’s often true. But simply providing seating isn’t the same as creating places where teenage girls feel comfortable spending time.

When we speak to girls, they tell us that sitting together is often the whole point of visiting the park. It’s where they chat, laugh, decompress, support one another and simply spend time together.

So it’s not just whether there is seating, but what kind of seating and where it’s located. Girls often tell us they value:
-Seating designed for groups, not just individuals.
-Curved or sociable layouts that make conversation easy.
-Places close enough to feel connected to the park, but set back enough not to feel like they’re on display.
- Seating clusters spread out so no one group dominates a space.
- Natural materials, such as timber, that feel warmer and more inviting than cold metal.

There isn’t one perfect solution. Every park and every community is different.
But when girls consistently tell us that they want places to sit together, it’s worth asking whether the seating we provide has really been designed with them in mind. What you find is what works for teenage girls, works for many other people too.

Because creating more inclusive parks isn’t just about adding more benches. It’s about creating places where people feel they belong.

Some great tips from awuesome local expertise