You’re Invited to Reimagine the Future of York's Beloved Homestead Park: Join an Exciting Series of Events and Online Consultations This Summer!

Homestead Park, one of the city's favourite green spaces, is set to undergo a transformation that seeks to make it an even more welcoming and vibrant haven for all residents.

Social Vision, a local organisation dedicated to community development, is thrilled to announce a series of engaging events and online consultations, inviting the public to have their say on the future of this cherished landmark. 

Over the summer, mark your calendars for three captivating events, scheduled on Thursday 27th July, Saturday 12th August, and Thursday 24th August, all running from 10 am to 3 pm. 

Homestead Park will come alive with an array of activities designed to capture the invaluable perspectives of park users on their visiO of the perfect park. With artistic workshops, storytelling sessions, guided tours of the scenic gardens, and outdoor crafting opportunities, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. As an added incentive, a token for free drink or food will be provided to all participants who join in on the fun-filled activities. 

As well as the events, the pubic are asked to complete an online survey to let us know their views about the Homestead Park. They can do so here https://social-vision.org.uk/homestead/reimagining-homestead-survey-2023/ 

Joe Gardham, from Social Vision, said, "The Homestead is undeniably one of the city's finest parks, attracting a diverse range of visitors, from horticulture enthusiasts to families with children, dog walkers, and community groups. However, we recognise that there are people in York who don’t take advantage of this exceptional space, and even those who do may not fully explore its entirety. That's why we want to hear from York residents directly. What do you love about the Homestead? What changes would you like to see? What might be deterring you from visiting, and how can we make the park even more enticing? We are eager to learn about your perfect park – the sights, experiences, and activities that would make it York’s go-to green space." 

Steeped in history, the Homestead Park's legacy dates back to its inception in 1904, when it was initially opened to York school children for outdoor activities. A year later, the park was made accessible to the general public, driven by the vision of creating a free space for the working class in York. Today, the park stands as a testament to community inclusivity and the timeless importance of green spaces. 

Homestead Park Swings

Victoria Hughes, of Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the park's managing entity, shared her excitement about the project, stating, "We are thrilled to collaborate with Social Vision on reimagining the future of Homestead Park. Our goal is to ensure that this cherished landmark continues to inspire, entertain, and serve as an accessible green space for every York resident. By leveraging the park and pavilion as spaces to bring diverse groups of people together, we can foster an even stronger sense of community and continue to honour the Rowntree family’s vision." 

Social Vision's efforts will be further bolstered through partnerships with York Mumbler, the city's largest parenting network, and Thrive Outside CIC, a local organisation running weekly outdoor craft sessions in the park. Emily Pickard from York Mumbler shared her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "As one of the city's best parks, Homestead holds a special place in the hearts of thousands of parents. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to engage with them directly, gathering insights that will enrich their park experience." 

The future of Homestead Park lies in the hands of its visitors and the wider York community. Let your voice be heard and be a part of this transformative journey. Join us at the scheduled events and participate in the online consultations to shape the Homestead Park of the future! 

For more information, (free) tickets and updates on the events and consultations, visit www.social-vision.org.uk/homestead 

The events are running 10am – 3pm on Saturday 12^th August, and Thursday 24^th August. Tickets can be booked from the Social Vision website, or simply drop in. 

Survey for people to complete is here: https://social-vision.org.uk/homestead/reimagining-homestead-survey-2023/ 

Eventbrite for the 3 events is here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/homestead-vision-creating-the-future-of-homestead-park-tickets-681012806637