This time of year, we all enjoy a public park area, recreational lake or the beach. We are mostly happy for other people to do the same…but are we making sure that others can do the same?

Most of us enjoy having fun at a public recreational area with friends and family and we want to make sure we allow others to do the same.

If we have moved chairs or benches to accommodate our group, or if we have brought food or items that were used and now considered trash, we want to make sure that we clean up the area and return it to the way we found it, or even in better condition. 

Teach your children the importance of this, by allowing them to see you cleaning up the area and thereby letting them know its importance and then by asking them to partake in the process as well.

Showing respect for others, by leaving the area the way we would like to find it, shows respect for ourselves as well.