A new way to explore York’s rivers has launched this summer, inviting residents and visitors to discover how water shapes the city, its communities and its future.
The York rivers trail: the rivers and us is a walking and wheeling trail along the River Ouse in York, combining art, storytelling and digital experiences to help people understand how York lives with water.
Following the river through parks, gardens and historic spaces, the trail connects people with the stories, landscapes and practical actions that support flood resilience in York and across the wider catchment. Co-designed with communities, schools and artists, it explores how the effects of upstream actions affect life downstream, and how nature-based solutions can help build a more climate-ready future.
Visitors can explore the trail through riverside locations including Homestead Park, Leeman Park, Museum Gardens, North Street Gardens, Tower Gardens and Rowntree Park, as well as exhibitions, printed and digital interpretation, and Talk to the river, an interactive mobile experience powered by Hello Lamp Post.
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 — and how approaches such as tree planting, habitat restoration and other nature-based solutions can help strengthen flood resilience here in York.
"The trail is about helping people connect more deeply with the river and understand the part we can all play in building a more climate-ready city. It is a thoughtful and creative way to explore York, while also shining a light on the action being taken across the wider catchment.”
The launch also highlights the trail’s work with schools through The rivers and us toolkit, a curriculum-linked resource for primary schools in York and North Yorkshire, developed to connect classroom learning with real places along the trail.
Mark Henderson, Flood Risk Manager at City of York Council, said:
“York has always lived with water, and understanding flood risk means understanding the whole river system - not only what happens within the city itself.
"The York rivers trail helps make those connections clearer and more visible, showing how upstream landscapes, local action and the river through York are all part of the same story.
"By bringing together place, people and practical learning, the trail offers an accessible way for residents and visitors to engage with flood resilience in everyday settings.”
At Leeman Park and Tower Gardens, visitors will also find sculptural viewing frames designed as moments to pause and look more closely at the river and surrounding landscape. At Leeman Park, these have been installed on a temporary basis to align with the launch and will later be permanently installed as part of wider riverside pathway improvements, with accessibility requirements taken into account.
The York rivers trail is delivered by City of York Council, with Ousewem as project originator, working with a wide network of local partners. A programme of events, exhibitions and activities will take place across the summer, with people invited to explore, take part and share their experience using #Yorkriverstrail.