Tree-mendous Edinburgh!

Capital claims top spot for parks and greenspaces in Scotland

Edinburgh has the highest number of quality parks and greenspaces in Scotland, Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced.

In total, 38 parks and greenspaces in the city have been presented with a prestigious Green Flag Award for 2023, which was announced by the environmental charity yesterday.

35 of these are maintained by the Council and the remaining three by the Friends of Corstorphine Hill (Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden), NHS Lothian (Royal Edinburgh Hospital), and Heriot Watt University (The Lawn & Central Woodlands).

Edinburgh’s award recipients represent over one third of the 87 total Green Flag Awards across Scotland.

The Capital placed third overall in the UK in total Green Flag Awards.

The full list of awarded parks and greenspaces in Scotland is available here.

The International Green Flag Award is bestowed upon parks and greenspaces that demonstrate excellent management and adherence to environmental standards. To make sure Edinburgh’s parks are kept to a high standard, each year the Council checks all its parks and gardens using Green Flag Award criteria.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “I am delighted that 38 parks around Edinburgh have been recognised by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Green Flag Awards scheme.

“The scheme recognises the quality of parks and greenspaces, their benefits to communities and the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who keep them ticking over.

“Here in the Capital, we are truly spoiled for choice across the city when it comes to fantastic parks and green spaces. Each different space has a unique character and significance for the residents and visitors that it welcomes.

“As part of our Edinburgh’s Thriving Greenspaces 2050 strategy, we are committed to doing everything we can to safeguard, preserve and improve these spaces so that people can continue to enjoy them, and communities feel involved in how they are looked after.”

Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to our 38 award winners in Edinburgh. Every park has a wide range of people visiting them and their requirements can vary. What is essential is that they are well maintained and provide a safe place for people to relax and have fun.

“Our award-winning parks have demonstrated they are worthy winners, meeting the criteria of the coveted international award. Receiving this prestigious benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“It is imperative that Scotland reconnects with the natural world if we are to fix the biodiversity crisis and these green spaces will provide a space for people of all ages to do that.

“Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country. I encourage everyone to make the most of them this summer.”