We recently had a realization and I can’t believe it took us so long to think of it.
For nearly all our mapping parties, the meeting spots have been public parks.
And here’s the realization - women do not consider public parks to be a safe space!
If people are going to meet Internet strangers, it’s safer to meet in cafés (which tend to be busier) than in a public park (which tend to be relatively cut off from crowds, especially in the hours we meet).
So, going forward, we’ll try to meet in cafés, or in any kind of seating situated in a busy area (even a bus stop with a shelter and benches) instead of parks.