Born and bred in Manchester, I have been a regular visitor All Saints Park since 1980. Over the years, I have observed countless joyous family picnics, tranquil walks with pets, and energetic sports games happening within its boundaries. The park has always been a shared space, providing a cherished haven for community interaction and recreation. 

Recently however, Manchester Metropolitan University has introduced measures which deny public access to this park out of term during the winter break during daylight hours and on sundays. These measures infringe upon the long-standing tradition of free and open accessibility that this public park signifies. This action infringes not only on the rights of the local residents like myself but also subtly erodes the community fabric that binds the residents together.

Access to public open spaces such as parks has been associated with a lower risk of mental distress and higher life satisfaction. Furthermore, the government's official guideline emphasise the importance of public access to open spaces for the promotion of health and wellbeing. 

Therefore, it's of utmost importance Manchester Metropolitan University's attempt to restrict public access to the park is prevented. I urge all residents who share this sentiment to uphold the tradition and rights of the public and join me in petitioning Manchester Metropolitan University to reconsider and revert their recent restrictive measures on our community park. It's our park, and it should remain so. Please, sign this petition to protect our community space.

Manchester Metropolitan University lease All Saints Park as a public open space Not as a private estate The city council should hold MMU to the lease it signed and make mmu keep the park open all year around not locked out of term. When MMU was first contacted over the issue MMU stated WE DO NOT LOCK THE PARK We had to get photo evidence to prove it does Then MMU stated we would only lock the park as a last resort which they did as soon as term ended this christmas 2 community engagement staff have left over this issue MMU Claim to be a sustainable university but they are clearly not an ethical university