Four Tips for Enjoying and Respecting our Public Spaces

Relaxing and enjoying our public parks and green spaces is the best part of the weather starting to get warmer. And with so many outdoor spaces in Manchester to enjoy, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to make the most of them with your mates.  

But remember, your enjoyment shouldn’t be at the expense of the environment or local community. We all have a responsibility to ensure that our behaviour doesn’t have a negative impact. If you decide to meet outdoors with friends, have a picnic or any other large gathering in these areas, please be respectful and follow these simple rules. 

Advice on respecting the environment and being a good neighbour 

1. Dispose of your litter appropriately  

This might seem obvious, but no one wants to sit in a littered park. Leaving your litter threatens the natural wildlife and makes our green spaces look drab and unappealing – not to mention that it is illegal.  

Clear up your litter, and if public bins are already full then take your rubbish home with you. Your litter is your responsibility, don’t make it someone else’s. 

2. Keep noise levels down 

It’s important to be respectful and mindful of your surroundings when out in public. If you are with a group of friends, keep noise levels down and be conscious of others enjoying the space and residents who live nearby. 

Remember that not everyone will be awake at the same time as you, and families in the local area may be disrupted by loud noise.. This also includes travelling to and from your halls or student houses. Give the same level of respect that you would expect from our community. 

3. Don’t overdo it with alcohol  

Make sure you drink sensibly and are aware of the public protection orders in parks and public spaces – if you become too noisy the police or council officers can ask you to stop drinking and confiscate items. This also includes walking the streets while consuming alcohol. 

Be respectful of those that are also enjoying the spaces whilst choosing not to drink – there may also be families or children around, so be mindful. As always, if you are drinking, take any cans and bottles away with you and dispose of them appropriately. 

4. Only use designated public toilets  

Again, this might sound like common sense, but a little reminder never hurts. Remember that you are in a public space - if you need the toilet, you need to find a public toilet. If you are unfamiliar with the local area, you can use the Great British Public Toilet Map.