Join us for an exciting week of activities and creative engagements at WOW Park from Tuesday 25 June to Saturday 29 June.
Dive into a series of community-driven events designed to bring people together, celebrate local talent, and explore the beautiful Woodhouse Moor. Here’s a breakdown of what you can look forward to:
Tuesday 25 to Friday 28 June: Little Library Activation
Throughout the week, a Little Library will be set up between the tennis courts and Hyde Park Football Club. This communal space invites everyone to come, read, and enjoy the surroundings.
- Tuesday 25 June, Wednesday 26 June and Friday 28 june, 4pm to 6pm: Local young people (ages 16-18) will transform the space with bean bags and wooden cube seating, board games, giant Jenga, hula hoops, books, and a social hub.
- Wednesday 26 June, 4pm – 6pm: Join Matt Bellwood for an informal heritage walk, perfect for young people interested in local history. No tickets required!
Tuesday 25 June: Seating Exploration
Join us on Tuesday 25 June, from 1 to 3pm, as we expand seating around the Little Library at WOW Park. Come and join in, interact with the space, and be part of this exciting social experience!
Saturday 29th June 11am to 3pm: WOW Park Celebration Event
Join us in the bandstand area for a celebration featuring local community organisations, community stalls, heritage walking tours, free food, activities and performances by spoken word artists and musicians. All activities are perfect for a free family day out.
Heritage Walks
Woodhouse Moor Hidden Histories Tour: Join tour guide Matt Bellwood for a fun, entertaining and informative walk around the park to learn about its history. You can book your place on a tour at 12pm or 2pm, or you join tours at 11am and 1pm with no booking required. Meet at the bandstand area.
Visual artist Emma Bentley Fox has created a photographic historical view master and reels for a unique experience.
You can also take a self-guided tour, using the following digital guides:
- Woodhouse Moor Hidden Histories Tour map (PDF 3MB) – please note, this PDF may not be accessible for users of assistive technology
- Woodhouse Moor Hidden Histories Tour - accessible version
Directional Sign-Posts and Way Finders
Look out for new directional signposts and invitational way finders placed around the park. These signs, created by our co-design group, highlight special spots like “This is a great place to watch birds” and “This is a great spot for lunch.” These will remain throughout the summer for everyone to enjoy.
Performances
Enjoy performances by local artists such as Pearl Natasha & Sherie Taylor Batiste, Rita, a local Hindi singer, a Gaelic band, and other poets and musicians on a small, raised platform all throughout the day.
Community stalls
Explore and celebrate our vibrant community at the local community stall showcase, offering a fantastic opportunity to discover and connect with everything happening in our local area. With support from Hyde Park Source, enjoy a lively atmosphere complete with a temporary bandstand and event furniture.
- Hyde Park Football Club: Get active with football drills and small games hosted by Hyde Park Football Club.
- Local young people: Join in for board games and lively play sessions led by local youth.
- Hyde Park Book Club: Explore northern writers at this table and join a poet for creative writing activities.
- Unity Day: Discover Unity Day with info stalls
- Leeds Muslim Youth Forum: Experience hyper-local heritage with objects and photographs, plus other interactive activities.
- Moor Market: Crafts and creativity await at Moor Market’s vibrant stall.
- Rainbow Junktion: Enjoy complimentary falafel, sandwiches, and community spirit from Rainbow Junktion.
- Wrangthorne Church: Relax with a Tea and Coffee Cart and access to facilities at Wrangthorne Church.
About WOW park
WoW Park is a community-driven initiative focused on enhancing perceptions of safety at Woodhouse Moor, with a special emphasis on the well-being of women and girls. Inspired by Dr. Anna Barker’s Safer Parks research, the project unites local residents, businesses, Leeds City Council, and the University of Leeds.
From January to April 2024, the Cultural Institute commissioned urban design experts Street Space to collaborate with 24 community organizations and 144 residents. They conducted eight walk-and-talk interviews and formed a collaborative design group comprising 12 local residents.
Through WoW Park, we aim to explore how community-led initiatives can improve perceptions of safety in public spaces, nurturing a stronger sense of community ownership and involvement.