The Bear Park is a city park that was formerly occupied mainly by drunks and small-time criminals and avoided by most citizens. The project has reclaimed the park for ordinary citizens’ use as a “living room”. The project is based on co-operation between local citizens’ organisations, the City Parks Department, and the police. The key element of the project are the “Bear Park Godparents”, residents who have committed to tending for the flowerbeds in the park and, in general, to using the park regularly. The physical and social character or the park has changed radically and its problems of disorder have declined considerably. Anecdotal evidence suggests that fear of crime and sense of insecurity have decreased particularly among elderly people. Although specific measurements are lacking, it is likely that the change has had a positive influence on more serious crime as well.

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