York rivers trail invites residents to help shape its future after successful first season
Since launching earlier this summer, the York rivers trail has generated more than 750 digital conversations and reached more than 6,000 people through family-focused channels, helping introduce new audiences to stories, places and connections along York’s rivers.
Now, as the trail enters its next chapter, residents and visitors are being invited to discover, create and explore through a new programme of activities taking place as part of York Walking Festival, York Environment Festival and the York 50+ Festival.
Councillor Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency at City of York Council, said:
“York’s rivers have always shaped our city, and the York rivers trail helps bring that relationship to life in new and engaging ways. It shows how water connects communities, landscapes and everyday life.”
“This autumn programme builds on the trail’s successful launch by creating opportunities for people to explore, learn, reflect and share ideas about the future of York’s rivers. Through walks, workshops and exhibitions, people can discover how nature, water quality, climate resilience and community action can help create healthier rivers and a more sustainable future for York.”
The rivers and us exhibition brings together photography, stories and creative responses inspired by York’s rivers.
Mark Henderson, Flood Risk Manager at City of York Council, said:
“Whether we are talking about water quality, wildlife, flood risk or the way people use our rivers, it is important to understand that everything is connected.”
“As we move into autumn and river conditions begin to change, the York rivers trail provides an opportunity for people to better understand how York lives with water. It helps make those connections visible, linking upstream landscapes, local action and the river through York into one shared story. The autumn programme offers opportunities to explore those connections through heritage, nature, creativity and practical learning.”
The York rivers trail offers a new way to explore York’s rivers through parks, gardens, historic spaces, exhibitions, digital experiences and community stories.
Following a successful first summer season, the focus now turns to participation, creativity and reflection, inviting people of all ages to explore York’s rivers in new ways and help shape what comes next.
The programme offers opportunities to explore, create, learn and contribute. Highlights include:
York rivers trail: Stories, nature and resilience along the river
A guided exploration of the trail and an opportunity for participants to reflect on what they have discovered and share ideas that could help shape the future development of the trail.
The rivers and us: future voices
A creative storytelling and performance workshop for young people aged 13+, exploring rivers, climate resilience, nature and community.
The rivers and us: future frames
A creative animation workshop encouraging young people to explore the future of York’s rivers through storytelling, creativity and environmental themes.
York rivers trail: Following the Foss
A guided exploration of the River Foss and its role in shaping York’s past, present and future.
Water and us: simple actions for healthier rivers
An interactive discussion exploring practical actions people can take at home and in their neighbourhoods, from planting and rain gardens to water butts, depaving and sustainable drainage. Inspired by themes explored through the York rivers trail, the session explores river health, water quality, biodiversity, climate resilience and positive local action.
York rivers trail: The rivers and us exhibition
Taking place at City Screen Picturehouse throughout October, alongside exhibitions at Homestead Park, Rowntree Park, York Hospital and Foss Park Hospital, the exhibition explores the relationship between people, rivers, nature and place through photography, stories and creative responses developed with communities across York.
The programme supports this year’s York Environment Festival theme of future generations and positive action, while encouraging people to think about the role rivers play in shaping healthy, resilient communities.
The York rivers trail can be explored at any time, with locations across York including Homestead Park, Leeman Park, Museum Gardens, North Street Gardens, Tower Gardens and Rowntree Park.
To find out more about the trail and book places on upcoming events, visit: www.york.gov.uk/YorkRiversTrail
Participants explore stories, nature and resilience along the York rivers trail during a guided riverside session. This autumn programme will invite residents and visitors to discover, create and help shape the future of York’s rivers.