GMPTE Urban Orienteering
GMPTE's Urban Orienteering: The ultimate challenge in a metropolis.
If you think you're familiar with orienteering, think again. No sensible shoes, no compasses and certainly no cagoules - this is a fast-paced, fast lane activity for young people of 21st century Greater Manchester.
This challenge will let you discover the best places, the greenest parks and the quickest routes in your city.
Get your teacher or youth leader involved. Tell them 'no excuses' and show them this link (http://www.goto.org.uk/uo.pdf) to get all the information they need to help you.
The Background
We want you to use public transport effortlessly. We understand it's not always easy getting where you want on buses, trains and trams, but with Urban Orienteering you can get to grips with your local transport service as well as your sense of adventure.
Get involved, get to grips and get out there.
There's more out there than meets the eye... By knowing your way around Greater Manchester, you'll enjoy the benefits, services and hidden gems that are all waiting for you. Find the Greater Manchester you want.
The Task
Up for it? Your challenge is to navigate across Greater Manchester on the Green Space challenge, supported by Red Rose Forest.
Using public transport, you'll need to find our choice of green spaces and look beyond the surface to find the clues that'll help you solve the puzzle, as well as prove you got there.
We don't mind which order you do it, but you'll be competing with your rival team and under pressure to complete the puzzle along the way! Once you're done, we'll reward you with a special certificate to prove you're up there with the best when it comes to navigating around Manchester.
Providing you can keep up, you'll be taken through some of Europe's finest parks - and will know the best ways to get there for life.
Up for the challenge?
Grab yourself an adult who can hack the pace and check out this short film clip.
Getting Started
The challenge takes place in Heaton Park, Burrs Country Park, Mosses Gate Park and Blackleach Park. The map below is split into twelve areas, with each park identified by the Red Rose Forest symbol. To start planning your journey, you'll need to know where you're going and what you need to pick up when you're there.
Addresses of the Park
Burrs Country Park
Woodhill Road
Bury
BL8 1DA
Tel: 0161 253 5111
Heaton Park
Middleton Road
Higher Blackley
Manchester
M25 2SW
Tel: 0161 773 1085
Blackleach Park
John Street
Walkden
Salford
M28 3PQ
Tel: 0161 790 7746
Mosses Gate Country Park
Rock Hall
Hall Lane
Farnworth
BL4 7QN
Tel: 01204 334343
There's no right or wrong way to get around the map, but some ways are quicker than others - and time is the key to winning!
Things to get sorted before you start:
1) Two (or more) teams to compete for completion of the quickest routes!
2) An up-for-it adult or two
3) No-nonsense clothes for rain-friendly Manchester
4) Under 16? Get yourself the pass here so you can pay concessionary fares.
Discover the right type of travel card for your journey on GMPTE's Tickets & Fares page.
Fail To plan? Plan to fail
It's true. Organise your journey and breaks from the template below and you'll be safe as well as speedy. Think you've got a better way to do it? Email us your ideas
Planning Your Routes
There are loads of resources out there to help you start planning your journey for the challenge.
By phone
Traveline has all the info you need at the end of the phone.
Call 0871 200 22 33 (calls cost 10p per minute from landlines) to get the times and routes for all trains, trams and buses in Greater Manchester. Lines open between 7am - 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am - 8pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays.
Want timetables? Traveline send them out free.
Online at gmpte.com
Get online to www.gmpte.com and plan your journey from A to B.
Just type in: how you want to travel, when you want to go and whereabouts.
Before you get started, remember:
- Spell place names properly.
- Press the right buttons for leaving or arriving - either "leave after" (for when you want to leave) or "arrive by" (for when you want to get there).
- Enter the correct date of travel (Obvious, but important...)
- Keep your journey info at hand by printing it off or writing it down.
- You can download copies of timetables on our main website - www.gmpte.com.
At GMPTE Travelshops
GMPTE Travelshops can be found at main bus stations around Greater Manchester. They know what they're talking about, so get asking and find all the info you need about tickets, passes, buses, trains, Metrolink timetables, travel maps and safety.
Info Kiosks
Info kiosks points have touch-screen computers - so you can use it yourself. You find them at bus stations and other places in and around Greater Manchester. Look out for them!
'How's my train running?' phoneline
Stay a step ahead. Call 0161 228 0322 and you'll know whether your train is (or will be) delayed. For more info visit GMPTE's How's my train running? webpage.
Travel Plan
View the travel plan in PDF format
If you want a chance at winning, you'll need to answer the following questions during your urban journey:
1) Find 3 sculptures in Burrs Country Park and explain what they are.
2) There are 3 colour-coded trails around the Moses Gate Country Park.
Which colour is the riverside ramble?
3) Where is the sundial in Heaton Park?
4) Where is the hidden throne in Blackleach Park?
Be Safe
Getting about in Greater Manchester also means staying safe. The police suggest the following tips - check them out.
Use timetables to plan your journey ahead of time - this way you avoid hanging around at bus stops or stations and running the risk of hassle.
Avoid dimly lit areas and shortcuts through footpaths, alleyways and subways.
Greater Manchester is your area - so try to appear confident in it. This way you'll look at ease, clued-up and in control. Travelling alone? Let someone know where you are, how you're getting home and what time they can expect you.
Always sit in the busy areas of trains and buses, or near the guard or driver. Never be too proud to change seats.
Keep your valuables out of sight and out of reach.
Be aware of the people around you, their behaviour and proximity to your personal space.
In the unlikely event that your safety is threatened, stay calm and avoid danger. Get out of the situation, make as much noise as possible and be happy to surrender your possessions. Your health is priceless.
If you are threatened on a bus, tell the driver. If your safety is threatened on a train, tell the guard and/or use the emergency handle. If you face danger on a Metrolink, use the emergency intercom. These safety measures are there for you.