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Mansfield Youth Council presents survey: teens want walkability, teen‑specific spaces and more communication
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Summary
Students told the council they value parks, trails and nearby friends but want improved walkability, teen‑focused third spaces, internships/volunteer opportunities and clearer social‑media outreach; youth recommended a podcast and short‑form content to improve city engagement.
Members of the Mansfield Youth Council presented survey findings to the City Council on Feb. 23, 2026, reporting about 79 responses from nine schools that highlighted what teens value most — nearby friends and family, parks and trails, and restaurants/retail — and where the city could improve: safer walkability, clearer communications targeted at teens, dedicated teen spaces and more career/volunteer programming.
Youth council members described their survey method (school outreach, social media and in‑person engagement) and said the highest‑rated needs were accessible routes between schools, parks and retail and more teen‑specific programming. The students proposed a youth podcast and recommended social content formats that work for teens — short videos, relatable posts, and local event highlights — and asked the city to explore Instagram and short‑form video to reach their peers.
Council members asked follow‑up questions about sample third‑space models (college quads, downtown lawns, Market Street gathering areas), availability of transportation and app‑based communication. Students said roughly half of teens reported access to vehicles is limited and that school channels, counselors and in‑person outreach helped gather survey responses.
Mayor Michael Evans and council members thanked the students and committed to more teen‑oriented programming, noting upcoming amenities such as Geyer Commons and a planned New City Hall launch space. Staff agreed to consider youth suggestions when planning events, outreach and park programming.
The presentation included a youth‑created magazine and a short slide deck with data; council discussion focused on how to match outreach and program design to teens’ preferred platforms and to prioritize accessible routes and restroom and lighting improvements in parks.
