Dear Editor
The foresight of past generations assured us of many beautiful areas of green spaces: parks, area greens, woodlands and walkways and the green belt around our city. They also left us other social facilities: football and rugby grounds, golf courses and sports centres. The value of all these to the quality of life and good health is immense.
Over many years a backward trend in protection of these assets has been allowed by governments and local authorities, selling off green spaces as building sites and closing other social facilities claiming they are too costly to maintain.
Two questions arise: What about the quality of life? What are we leaving for future generations?
A value analysis has been carried out for the council on Edinburgh’s 140 green spaces. It shows for every £1 spent, £12 is returned in social, environmental and economic benefits. For an annual outlay of £9,684,000 nearly £114, 191, 000 is realised. This sum is from:
- Good health and wellbeing
- Local economy, arising from visitors and users
- Schools and Colleges providing outdoor education
- Awareness of environmental protection
- Impact of social inclusion of the community
Every citizen in every area must become aware of protecting our green spaces and support local groups and organisations involved in this important work – not just for ourselves but for future generations too.
Tony Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
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