A-Z of park rules

Only banners and posters advertising or promoting public activities in the park, or relating to the park, are permitted.

Before displaying any banner or poster please contact the area manager to approve your request and prevent removal. Any banner or poster causing damage to park feature, especially trees and other plants, or obscuring any park information, including interpretation boards or signs, will be removed

Many park noticeboards are looked after by the park friends group. Please contact the relevant group if you wish to display a poster, advertising a park activity, on a noticeboard.

We do not allow any other advertising in our parks or on boundary fencing and any unauthorised material will be removed and disposed of.

As a general principle we do not light our green spaces. Green spaces are often open, dark places and as such we expect you to take a sensible approach to using them. People walking at night should do so in pairs or more and avoid more quiet areas. Remember to take responsibility for your own safety.

Green spaces are great places to get out into the open air and have a picnic. You are welcome to enjoy eating and drinking in green spaces, as long as you do not leave litter. However, the police may confiscate alcohol if it is being drunk in a public place in Southampton. A common sense approach to this is taken and will only affect those who are showing drunken or antisocial behaviour.

Everyone should be able to use our parks and green spaces without unnecessary disturbances by others. View further information about antisocial behaviour and how to report it.

We encourage art in our parks and green spaces from temporary exhibitions to performance events. If you would like to host an exhibition or event in one of our open spaces please email events@southampton.gov.uk. We do not hire out space for private parties or events.

Southampton has a variety of bookable and free pitches for various ball games across the city. Wherever possible we would encourage you to use these for your ball games.

To book sports pitches for a range of sports including tennis, hockey, netball, football, cricket and lacrosse please contact our leisure partner. 

If you do find yourself using a non-designated piece of green space then please follow these simple rules:

• Be aware of your surroundings and who else is using the green space
• Do not disturb other users
• Use soft or air flow balls to prevent accidents
• Avoid causing damage
• Do not play in or through flowers or shrub beds
• Avoid digging up, rutting or other damage to grass areas

Across the city there are various informal football areas, where goal posts have been provided, these can be used at anytime for unofficial football games. Where official sports pitches are provided with line marked pitches and goal posts, we ask that your refrain from using the goal areas. Unofficial use of these areas can cause damage to them and make them unplayable for the official football teams who hire them.

Throughout the city 'free to use' multi-use games areas (MUGA) and all weather ball courts have been provided. These provide all weather surfaces for a variety of games. These are not currently bookable and generally work on a first come first served basis. If playing on tennis court facilities and others are waiting please restrict your game to 30 minutes to allow others to share the court. The tennis courts in East Park can be booked through the cafe.

Hitting golf balls across a green space can be very dangerous. We therefore ask that this is restricted to those areas designated for golf which can be booked through the relevant provider, there are courses at Southampton golf course and the mini-golf in East Park.

View our page about barbecues (BBQs) in parks.

Please help us to reduce the amount of litter in our green spaces and take your rubbish home.

General use bins are provided throughout most parks and many green spaces. These can be used for general rubbish and bagged dog waste. Dedicated dog waste bins are no longer provided due to the cost of emptying what would be deemed as toxic waste. Bagged dog waste is not designated toxic if mixed with general waste. Please put bagged dog waste in general waste bins. Where recycling bins are provided use these for waste that is recyclable such as clean, dry paper and card, empty plastic bottles and metal cans.

Dropping litter is an offence and if caught could lead to prosecution.

If you find a bin that is full please phone 023 8083 3008 and we will try to get it emptied as soon as we can.

We encourage community groups to get out into our green spaces and use them. If you would like to hold a community event, more information can be found on Visit Southampton.

Much of our open space is managed for nature conservation and supports an amazing amount of wildlife. The areas are managed by a team of officers that include ecologists, tree specialists and grounds maintenance and landscape professionals, so as to balance the recreation needs of residents and protecting the natural environment. There are several organised friends groups that carry out conservation tasks. These activities are agreed in advance with the open spaces manager and the volunteers are a valuable asset in helping to look after our open spaces.

The council allows permissive access for cycling in many of its green spaces except where no cycling is clearly marked or where cycling is expressly forbidden by a byelaw. You are not permitted to cycle on the grass, shrub or flower beds as this causes environmental damage, which is harmful to wildlife and expensive to repair.

Do not assume that pedestrians have full hearing or sight. Park footpaths are rightly considered safe places by people with hearing and sight and mobility impairments.

When cycling in our parks, please 'Share with Care' and follow the Green Travel Code of Conduct.

All parks and green spaces are SLOW ZONES. Remember to cycle responsibly, keep to a slow speed, keep to footpaths and observe no cycling zones.

Pedestrians have priority and cyclists should always give way to pedestrians.

Hierarchy of path users

• Pedestrians with sensory or mobility impairments
• Pedestrians
• Motorised mobility scooters, animals (pets or wildlife)
• Cyclist, skateboarders, skaters, non-motorised scooters
• Service motor vehicles

Cyclist must slow right down when approaching other park users. We encourage the use of a bell only to let others know of our approach and not as a signal to get out of the way. Be prepared to dismount and walk past pedestrians, especially if there are children or dogs running around. Do not cycle off the path when overtaking.

It is important to use lights and hi-vis clothing in low light conditions.

We encourage the use of green spaces for leisure cycling, such as teaching children to ride and family group cycling. We ask you to respect other users, be courteous and ensure you keep to a slow speed.

Cycle routes have been provided on The Common, at Riverside Park and Weston Shore. Cyclists must keep to the clearly marked routes. Remember pedestrians still have priority along these routes. Please note that cycle routes on the Common are dual use and pedestrians have priority. It is not legal to cycle on The Common except on signed paths.

Dog walkers are one of the key users of green space and responsible dog owners are welcome in all our parks. However, dogs are not allowed inside fenced play areas and are excluded from land used by schools. These areas are clearly marked to let owners know. Some green spaces, such as cemeteries and allotments require dogs to be kept on leads. Where dogs are allowed to roam freely it is a requirement that the dog walkers will have full control over them and pick up any dog waste. For more information see the dog code.

Drones cannot take off or land on our parks and open spaces without permission from Southampton City Council. Permission will generally only be granted where usage of a drone aids survey work and/or to undertake a professional service such as at festivals and events or filming to promote Southampton’s open spaces. View information about filming in Southampton. 

Green space is there for everyone to enjoy, where it is taken into private gardens it no longer serves as a public open space. We will pursue any person who encroaches onto green space and we will require the land to be returned to the same condition as before it was taken.

Dumping of garden waste is unsightly, introduces alien plants and as it rots down, enriches the soil changing the ecological balance. Dumping of garden waste is fly tipping and those responsible will be prosecuted.

Some properties have direct access to public green space. Wherever appropriate these will be licensed and will not be allowed to cause an encroachment.

Throughout the year many of the city’s green spaces serve as the perfect location for events and activities which are enjoyed by thousands of people. These spaces are able to accommodate events from small scale community festivals through to larger events such as music concerts.

Southampton Common and Mayflower Park are the most popular green spaces for events and to help you enjoy your visit here are details of events taking place in these areas throughout the year along with the impact the event.

See also

• Holding an event on public open spaces
• Events taking place on Southampton Common and Mayflower Park
  

We do not allow fires, with the exception of controlled and contained barbecues in designated areas, in green spaces. Do not add dried leaves, twigs or wood to barbecues to keep them burning. You are not allowed to light a fire or place, throw or drop a lighted match or any other thing likely to cause a fire. To do so could result in prosecution for criminal damage and arson.

Fireworks let off in a public place can cause a disturbance or possible injury. We therefore do not allow fireworks in our parks and open spaces unless part of an official licensed event.

View information about fishing in parks.

The flowers and plants are there for all to enjoy so please do not pick any flowers, take cuttings or dig up any plants or bulbs.

If you wish to take cutting from plants or trees in our green space, please contact parks and open spaces.

You can pick blackberries and other fruits in our green spaces. Please remember to leave some fruit for local wildlife. It is an offence to cause damage to the plant and surrounding area whilst foraging. You should also be aware that dogs and foxes may spray low areas of bushes.

We ask that you do not remove fallen wood from our green spaces and please do not use power tools such as chainsaws in public places. Dead wood is very important for wildlife particularly stag beetles.

Find out information about friends groups.

It is a criminal offence to graffiti and we proactively remove it within green spaces. We will prosecute anyone found putting graffiti onto council property. We try to remove offensive graffiti within 24 hours. If you want to report offensive graffiti please go to report a park problem.

There are areas where spray art is tolerated, in particular on skate parks. In these areas it is recognised that spray art can be undertaken, however, anything offensive to other green space users will be removed.

From time to time we undertake spray art projects at various places in the city. We would encourage you to attend these projects and help to design the art work.

Southampton's green spaces are not designed or suitable for use by horses or for horse riding. The majority of park users are pedestrians, many of whom are dog walkers and therefore it is not permitted to drive, lead or exercise a horse in our parks and green spaces.

It is also not permitted to ride a horse in green spaces except where a clearly marked bridleway exists. Bridleways are located in Cutbush Lane (between Townhill Way and Benhams Road); Lordswood Greenway (between Rownhams Lane and Coxford Road) and at the White Swan along Mansbridge Road, (but not in Riverside Park itself).

We do not permit the tethering of horses in green spaces. Any horse found tethered on green space will be impounded. If you have any information about a tethered horse then contact parks and open spaces.

There are some limited grazing fields, which the council rent out. Please contact our Valuers' Team on 023 8083 3002 for information on renting a grazing site.

Information boards are placed at the entrances to some of our green spaces for official use by the city council and park friends groups. Where a friends group exists they will have a key to allow them to place information about their group, the park and up-coming events on the notice board. The information boards are only used for advertising things related to the green space and are not used for any commercial advertising or lost animal posters.

If you have something you would like to display, about your local green space, in one of the information cabinets then please contact parks and open spaces.

Kite flying is a fun, family friendly activity. Weston Shore, Southampton Common and Lordshill Rec have large areas of open grassland where there is enough space to fly your kite without disturbing other park users.

Please take care when flying your kite and follow these simple rules

• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Steer clear of overhead cables
• Keep below local tree height
• Do not prevent other people from enjoying the park

Anyone looking to fly a kite at significant heights in the UK should ensure that they comply with important safety rules. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of any aircraft flying in the vicinity. For more information visit the Civil Aviation Authority website.

We do not allow the use of metal detectors, or other similar devices, in our parks and green spaces.

Digging disturbs natural habitats, areas of biodiversity, grass, trees, plants, animals, archaeological areas and sites of scientific interest and is therefore prohibited. You could be fined up to £20,000 for causing damage to a scheduled monument.

You may fly battery operated aircraft at Lordshill Rec. However, the whole of Southampton comes under the flight path of the Airport and therefore if you intend to fly your aircraft higher than the tops of the local trees you will need to get permission from the airport.

Model flyers need to be registered with the CAA if they fly models over 250grams in weight and should carry the CAA registration identifier associated with the flyer.
 
It is desirable to have adequate insurance against potential injury to the public.

Please remember when flying model aircraft to respect other park users and follow these simple rules

• Do not disturb other park users with noisy motors or engines
• Always be aware of your surroundings
• Steer clear of overhead cables
• Keep below local tree height
• Make sure you are aware of Southampton airport flight restrictions
• Do not disturb any wildlife

Petrol driven aircraft are not allowed in any of our green spaces.

The byelaw states that:

20. (i) A person shall not fly any tethered or untethered power driven model aircraft in the pleasure ground except in any part which has, by notice conspicuously exhibited in the pleasure ground, been set apart by the Council for the flying of tethered or untethered model aircraft respectively

(ii) A person shall not, in the pleasure ground, fly any jet propelled or rocket propelled model aircraft unless it is tethered

(iii) In this bye law the expression "power driven model aircraft" means any model aircraft driven by the combustion of petrol vapour or of other combustible substances and the expression "tethered" requires a model aircraft to be attached to a control line and kept under effective control.

Further information can be found on the following websites

• Civil Aviation Authority
• British Model Flying Association

Motorcycles, mini motos and quad bikes are not allowed to be ridden or taken onto green space. If you are found in charge of a motorcycle, mini-moto or quad bike on a green space you could be fined and the vehicle confiscated.

Electric pedal bikes are welcome on the designated cycle paths, but must not use footpaths. There is no restriction for electric wheelchairs or buggies but please keep speed to a safe level and consider other park users.

All of our parks and open spaces are open all-day, every-day, with occasional limitations due to events such as Southampton Boat Show. Such events are typically announced through our news, e-alerts, social media and the local press. 

Some facilities within our parks may not be open constantly. Refer to the information for each park for more details. 

We do not restrict the size of groups using our green spaces but ask that large groups consider other park users. Remember to take your litter and waste home with you or use the bins provided. The police have the power to disperse groups if two or more people are involved in or likely to become involved in antisocial behaviour.

If you are planning a public event with a large gathering of people email events@southampton.gov.uk for advice on the correct permissions and insurance you might need.

Use of tents, gazebos, furniture, amplified music or PA equipment is not permitted except through arrangement. To discuss your requirements, please contact parks and open spaces.

Please be aware that we do not give permission for enclosed private events such as birthday parties that will restrict the use of the open space by other park users.

Our green spaces are an ideal location for filming and photography. If you wish to undertake commercial photography or filming it is advisable to look at the information on our filming in Southampton webpages or contact our events team by email filming@southampton.gov.uk. There is an application process and a fee may be charged.

All commercial photography and filming must abide by the Filming in Hampshire Code of Practice.

There are over 100 play areas provided across Southampton for children to use. Most are fenced and those that are have dog control orders in place. We do not promise to fence all play areas and you will find some with no fencing.

Play equipment in each of the play areas differs and we have tried to make each play area a different experience for children using them. Play areas are improved as money becomes available. Why not try some different play areas to see what they offer?

Play areas are inspected based on the type of equipment they have. Most are looked at daily and any defects are reported. Should you find a defective or broken piece of play equipment you can report it using our online form or by calling 023 8083 3007.

We do not put age limits on our play equipment but do ask parents and guardians to ensure that children only use equipment within their capability. Risk is an important part of growing up.

There are various ponds, lakes, streams and rivers in green space across the city and we ask that you respect these and use them with care. When visiting one of our green spaces with a water feature please keep to the following guidelines:

• If there is ice on the water do not break it or attempt to skate on it
• Please do not swim in rivers or ponds - many of these have hidden hazards and strong currents
• Follow the appropriate rules for fishing
• Be aware of the surroundings and take special care if you are taking children into these areas
• Follow the appropriate rules for boating
• Do not disturb the wildlife living in the water features
• Do not introduce plants, animals or fish to water features. Animals such as parrot tails, carp, terrapins and mink are all having a negative impact on biodiversity in waterways destroying our native plants and animals

We risk assess our water features and only where necessary do we install safety railings to prevent access. Incidents of people falling into rivers and ponds are very low but we do ask you to take care, particularly with young children when walking near to water. We also ask that you use more appropriate swimming facilities such as The Quays swimming and diving complex and Bitterne Leisure Centre.

You are allowed to skateboard, skate or use a non-motorised scooter on tarmac paths in green space but we ask that you respect other park users and slow down when passing. Remember pedestrians, motorised mobility vehicles and animals (pets and wildlife) have priority access along these routes. Please keep to the tarmac paths to prevent damage to the grass, shrub and flower beds

Specific skate and BMX parks have been provided at Hoglands Park, Daisy Dip, Hinkler Green, Riverside Park, Veracity Rec, the Sports Centre and Shirley Pond Recreation Ground. Each of the facilities has unique challenges so why not try them out?

Please do not grind on park benches, walls, monuments or other green space features as this damages them and can cost the public a lot of money to fix. If you are found grinding on features you run the risk of prosecution for criminal damage.

If you wish to use our green space for business activities, such as sports clubs and professional training then you will need to register. There will be an annual fee to stay on the register and this will permit you to run your sports club or training on our green space. Those not registered will be excluded from using our green space and may face prosecution.

For further information on how to register please contact parks and open spaces.

Southampton has a variety of bookable and free pitches for various ball games across the city. To book sports pitches for a range of sports including tennis, hockey, netball, football, cricket and lacrosse please visit our leisure partner.

Without prior consent from the council you are not allowed to put up tents or erect or construct any other type of shelter in our parks and green spaces. There are no overnight stay sites at any of Southampton’s parks and open spaces.

Trading in green spaces can only be undertaken under licence from the council. If you would like to trade in one of our parks or green spaces then please contact parks and open spaces to discuss your requirements.

The sales of ice creams and other light refreshments in our parks and open spaces is offered on a five year lease regulated by the Supply Southampton process. All tender opportunities are posted on the Supply Southampton portal.

For more information about the current sites and how to apply on our refreshment concessions page.

Green spaces are great places for trees, however the wrong type of tree in the wrong place can cause issues for park maintenance and those living close by. You are not allowed to plant trees in green space without prior approval. We do have schemes that enable you help plant trees in the city. Please contact parks and open spaces for more information.

Vehicles are not allowed to be taken onto or parked on our green spaces unless they are on official parks business or have a licence from the council to do so. Where there is a car park please park considerately. There are no overnight stay sites at any of Southampton’s parks and open spaces.

Anyone caught vandalising council property will be prosecuted. Vandalism can include damaging benches and bins but also breaking trees, shrubs and fences. Some Parks are covered by CCTV.

We aim to provide connectivity within some of our green spaces. Where WIFI areas are available they are currently free to use. WIFI areas will be clearly marked.

Green spaces are great places to see and experience wildlife. The Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981 as amended makes it illegal to disturb many types of wildlife, this includes picking flowers, disturbing nesting birds or damaging habitats so we ask that you respect green spaces, their surroundings and the wildlife using them.

Everyone loves to feed the ducks and other wildlife. Unfortunately foods, such as bread, pollute the water and spilt food attracts rats. Bread is also not the healthiest food for ducks. Mixed grain, suitable for poultry is far better for the birds, but remember not too much - the rats love it too.

Feeding ducks grain based duck food can also reduce pollution to the water.

Sometimes you will see wildlife with injuries. This could be due to attack from another animal, road injury or it may just be a problem from birth or old age. Although it may be upsetting to see, it may cause more distress to the creature if you try to capture it. There are no council animal rescue centres but here are some general guidelines for dealing with injured wildlife.

• Does it actually need human intervention? Often young birds in particular may leave the nest before being able to fly. These are usually looked after by their parents who will continue to feed them until they develop their flight skills. By 'rescuing' such fledglings they will no longer have the chance to be reared naturally and will be at a disadvantage if they are hand-reared and released into the wild. This in itself is a very time-consuming and tricky process that often results in the bird not surviving due to inappropriate, although well-meaning care. If you find such a bird and it is at risk due to its location or nearby predators such as cats it is best to move it carefully to a nearby dense vegetation or similar cover where it is less obvious but can still be cared for by its parents
• If the animal is still able to fly or run, you will cause it great distress by trying to capture it. Whilst an animal is still mobile, it is best left alone. However,  report it to parks and open spaces and staff working in that area will keep an eye on it. While they are still able to feed, animals are best left alone. In many cases, if there is no visible injury or wound, it may be that the animal is just 'under the weather' and it would be best to leave the animal to recover in a sheltered spot
• If an animal is obviously sick or injured it should be taken to the vet. There are no council veterinary facilities. Many vets will treat wildlife for free - although it may be that the treatment is euthanasia. Often animals that are treated for severe injury or illness and then released back into the wild are unable to compete successfully for food and territory and may suffer as a result
• Certain animals cannot legally be released back into the wild. Animals that are classified as non-native are not allowed to be put back into the wild once in captivity as this is against the law. This would mean that if such creatures are 'rescued', they must then be kept in captivity for as long as they are alive
• Injured or sick animals can potentially be aggressive or dangerous and may carry disease. Do not put yourself at risk.

For further information about local wildlife contact The Hawthorn Urban Wildlife Centre. Email hawthorns@southampton.gov.uk.