Growing Together, Bradford for City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Bradford Health Research Institute with Exemplar Project: Kashmir Park, JU:MP, Active Bradford, Local Schools, Sport England, Department for Transport, Active Travel Fund

Equitable spaces promoting physical and mental wellbeing for children and families were created as part of the UK’s 2025 City of Culture initiative. Kashmir Parkwas co-designed by over 2,500 students from five local schools through workshops and voting. At Attock Park, South Asian community members, including young children and mothers, contributed to creating tailored spaces for toddlers and family activities. The parks saw an 80 per cent increase in visits by children and families in their first year.

Who is on the project?

Contractors - Horticon Ltd. 

Designers -  Landscape Design & Conservation Team Bradford Council

Wider partners on iniative - Better Place Bradford, Yorkshire Sport, Local Community groups, National Lottery Community Fund, DLUHC, Make Space for Girls, Bradford Health Research Institute, Born In Bradford

Describe the context of this project and its neighbourhood and people. 

The Growing Together – Creating spaces where children thrive initiative is deeply rooted in the heart of Bradford, a culturally rich and diverse city in northern England. With over a quarter of its population under 16, Bradford is one of the youngest cities in the UK. However, it faces significant socio-economic and public health challenges, particularly in inner-city neighbourhoods that rank among the most deprived in the country. Many of these areas are densely populated, with limited access to quality green spaces, leaving children and families with few opportunities to connect with nature, play, or engage in outdoor activities. Bradford’s diverse population includes a large proportion of British Asian families and other minority ethnic groups, contributing to its vibrant cultural identity. Yet, inequalities in access to safe, green, and inclusive spaces often exacerbate existing health and social challenges. The initiative operates across multiple locations within Bradford, focusing on areas of greatest need. It is driven by a collective vision to create equitable spaces that promote physical and mental wellbeing for children and families. By collaborating with partners such as Born in Bradford, Better Start Bradford, and Active Bradford, the project engages local communities in the design and creation of child-friendly environments. These efforts not only address the lack of green spaces but also aim to empower residents, foster social cohesion, and provide every child with opportunities to rest, play, and thrive in a safe, clean, and stimulating environment.

Tell us what you did and how it created a child-friendly place. For example, how does it support the rights of the child to rest, relax, play and to take part in cultural and creative activities in a safe and clean environment?

This initiative prioritises designing and revitalizing spaces to support children’s rights to play, rest, and engage in cultural and creative activities. Research shows that children with access to quality green spaces enjoy better physical, mental, and emotional health. Our initiative embeds these principles into urban design, ensuring that every space is safe, inclusive, and enriching for children. From parks and greenways to streets and public spaces, we’ve created environments where children can play, rest, and engage in creative activities.Children are at the heart of the design process. Key projects like Kashmir Park exemplify our child-first approach. This park combines natural play areas, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and native planting to promote biodiversity while offering fun and educational experiences. Importantly, local school children shaped design proposals and agreed the final project.Inclusivity is at the core of our work. Through initiatives like Making Space for Girls, we address barriers to access for girls and young women, ensuring spaces are well-lit, safe, and welcoming for everyone. Beyond individual projects, our Beechwood Greenway transformed a neglected footpath into a vibrant, pollution-free cycling and walking route. This path connects schools and communities, allowing children to safely travel through green spaces rather than along noisy, polluted roads. Collaboration has been key. We worked across departments, engaged with families and schools, and partnered with researchers to use data to influence policy. Together, we’ve created spaces that improve children’s health, build community pride, and inspire long-term care for the environment.

How did the project make a positive social and environmental contribution in the context of child health childhood and wellbeing?

This initiative transforms neglected urban spaces into thriving green environments, delivering profound social and environmental benefits. For children, these spaces become hubs for physical activity, creative play, and relaxation, contributing to improved mental and physical health. By prioritising deprived neighborhoods, the project tackles inequities in access to quality green spaces, fostering inclusivity and community cohesion and strengthening community bonds. Environmental sustainability is at the core of the designs. Features such as SuDS, native planting, and urban greening not only mitigate flood risks but also enhance air quality and provide vital habitats for wildlife. These green spaces become living classrooms, where workshops on biodiversity and conservation inspire children to connect with and care for nature. This initiative is driving systemic change, embedding child-friendly principles into Bradford’s urban planning policies. Flagship projects like Kashmir Park demonstrate how equitable and sustainable design can create healthier, happier communities. Beyond immediate impacts, we are conducting robust evaluations in partnership with the Bradford Institute for Health Research, using data to measure outcomes and inform future projects. The initiative’s success has shaped policy, including feeding into the government’s Levelling Up agenda on children and play. This evidence-based approach is unlocking additional funding to replicate and scale these interventions across the city. By integrating playful spaces, climate resilience, and economic benefits, this project not only addresses current challenges but also sets a benchmark for future child-focused urban design. It’s about building a city where every child thrives.