Hanging about in the park - what's the alternative?

[agnesf]

This summer quite a few teens I know spent the evenings hanging about in a local park. Most of it was just teens larking about plus no doubt a bit of illicit alcohol (I don't approve of that but am realistic about the fact that it happens). We live in a small town so lots of people would know who the kids are and know that none of them are scary or dangerous in any way, although I can understand that people find this kind of thing intimidating.

The park is now subject to a dispersal order and local news has been reporting it as large unruly groups of youths.

I'm just wondering what the alternative is for teens to do - they want to meet up with their friends. They aren't allowed in pubs/ clubs and haven't got much money so even going to a cafe or similar is not really feasible.

How can they want to meet up with friends out of school in an unstructured way without getting demonised?

[NicknameUsed]

Can't they go to someone's house?

I love it when DD has friends round. We disappear upstairs and watch TV.

[PickAChew]

Haven't they got a local Co-op to hang around outside?

But no, there's not a lot of places for them to hang out without the scrutiny of adults who simply don't Understand.

[LineyReborn]

1. Usually a few are allowed in a friend's house and they take turns.
   

1. Terribly earnest and right-on local parents like me get facilities built in the park for teenagers e.g. ball courts and shelters.
   

1. Bus shelters, cemeteries and cider.

[agnesf]

I forgot to add - showing my age here - but when I was about their age there was local teen disco that didn't have the organised feel of a youth club (definately not cool) but wasn't a big commercial thing. Is there a modern equivalent?

[LineyReborn]

Yes, but only on a Friday night.

[agnesf]

Friday night seems to be top night for park hanging out so presume there isn't such a thing in our town. Maybe someone should start one ...

I feel a bit sorry for the girls tbh. There is a football place but mainly the domain of boys.

[Dizzybintess]

What about guiding senior section or explorer scouts
Or air sea or army cadets
Or St. John ambulance

I am a senior section leader and it's really popular nowadays as it really helps with getting into uni and we do things like camping and going away which they love