Churchfield is a public open space of approx. 3.5 acres with an enclosed dog walk area, children’s play area, an enclosed younger children’s playground and an open space of grass and trees known as Willow Garth.

Cared for by:
Local volunteers – Churchfield Open Space Committee (COSC)

A large grassy open space adjacent to Eighth Avenue is a great place for walking a dog, exercising or playing ball games.

This green space is comprises an off-road route through Rawcliffe with lots of grassy areas suitable for play and hedgerows attractive to wildlife along one side. There is also a wooden tower where fires are lit during national celebrations.

Cared for by:
City of York Council

This ‘village green’ appears to have no official name, but is characterised by the presence of a large fruiting pear tree and a well hidden seasonal pond.

A green space in the heart of Woodthorpe, the site of the annual Woodthorpe Carnival. The field has a couple of goal posts. A good place for relaxing or playing ball games.

Cared for by:
City of York Council

This is a large open area of grassland, with a few stands of mature and younger trees. There are several access points around the perimeter allowing to cross it as a route in various directions including connecting to other foothpaths through open grassland to the north. The remnants of the historic Monk Stray are divided into four distinct areas: The grassy parkland known as Heworth Stray, two areas of rough grazing land to either side of the Malton Road, and the privately leased golf course.

Cared for by:
City of York Council

A long riverside footpath and cycle track leading from the city centre all the way out to Skelton. This section goes between Scarborough rail and bike bridge to Water end, and has a large flood plain with levy banks. There are many mature and young trees including, Lombardy Poplar, Willow, Lime, Maple and Walnut. This area regularly floods in the winter.

The space around the church has mature and young trees, a wildflower meadow and short cut grass. One Oak in particular is several hundred years old.

Cared for by:
Heslington Church

A large area of flood plain with long grasses, wildflowers, well established Weeping Willows and Lombardy Poplar, and young stands of new woodland. There is a paved public cycle and footpath leading from the centre of town to Jubilee terrace, and a footpath/track following the river as far as Water End and around to the RSPCA kennels.

The Friends of Leeman Park are a newly formed group of volunteers from around the Leeman Road Area. The volunteers all have a shared vision to improve and maintain their local area. The map on this page shows the areas the group have committed to working on. The group intend to work in Back Park and the Cycle Way into town from the Leeman Road area.

Friends of Leeman Park are always looking for volunteers. As much or as little as you wish to give will be beneficial to their group and community. They’re looking for all different types of people, practical people who can help with maintenance on the ground, as well as people who are interested in taking an administrative or planning role.

Cared for by:
Friends of Leeman Park

Things to help out with here:

• cutting back overhanging branches and shrubs
• litter picking
• cleaning up graffiti
• edging footpaths
• removing weeds
• creating raised beds
• replacing worn turf
• repainting worn markings on cycle tracks
• creating edible gardens
• creating community art work
• holding celebratory events such as summer fairs

This little-known site is accessible from New Lane, just south of Heathside. The site features flower-rich meadows and an abundance of ponds. An unsurfaced path follows the site perimeter creating a circular walk.