greenspace scotland fund engages notable figures from the worlds of sport, music and politics to help raise vital funds for Scotland’s parks
A group of Scottish public figures are sharing their own ‘Park Portraits’ in a show of support for the first ever fundraising project that aims to bring new life to Scotland’s parks.
greenspace scotland recently launched Parks4Life: Scotland’s first ever fund for parks and greenspaces, with a goal to raise one million pounds by the end of 2023 to help support Scotland’s parks with a sustainable fund for the future.
The launch was marked with the release of Park Portraits, a digital photo gallery bringing to life the stories of people across Scotland and the ways that parks have enriched their lives.
Among the Scottish celebrities to get involved in the campaign to encourage donations are middle-distance runner Liz McColgan, singer-songwriter Karine Polwart, BBC Presenter and Apprentice contestant Reece Donnelly, filmmaker Libby Penman, Chief Executive of NatureScot Francesca Osowska and a suite of MSPs including Alasdair Allan, David Torrance, Foysol Choudhury, and Ariane Burgess among others.
Public figures have shared within the platform the memories that illustrate their love for their local parks, and why they find importance in them.
Karine Polwart said: “Our Scottish parks are sanctuaries in all the noise and speed of modern living – places to walk and play, stop and sit, lie down and listen.
“They’re also places to really notice that we’re not alone in this world, as humans, that we share all of our green spaces with so many other living things.”
Foysol Choudhury, MSP, said about The Meadows in Edinburgh: “As a school kid growing up in Edinburgh, the highlight of my day was dropping my school bag at home and run to the local park to play football with friends.
“Our children need open spaces to run, play and connect with nature. Our local communities need their greenspaces to gather with family and friends; enhance mental health and wellbeing; improve air quality and local biodiversity.”
Libby Penman, Wildlife Filmmaker, Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow, said: “Parks in Scotland mean everything to me. Growing up I spent all my time at my local park, The Beveridge Park (The Bevi) in Kirkcaldy, playing football, developing my skills in the skatepark, walking the dog.
“As a wildlife filmmaker, during lockdown I turned to filming in my closest green space, Kelvingrove Park. The footage I’ve been able to capture of Otters, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Foxes and Frogs are some of my favourite shots. In fact, one of my best career achievements was being featured on BBC Two’s Winterwatch, showcasing all the urban wildlife I’ve filmed in the park.”
Francesca Osowska, Chief Executive of Nature Scot, Figgate Park, Portobello, said: “Figgate Park in Portobello is a lovely oasis of calm. When people think of Portobello, they immediately think of the sea and don’t realise there is some lovely green space. Figgate Park is one of my favourite places to run, with beautiful trees, great birdlife and an otter, which I have sadly not seen.
“The Figgate Friends have done an excellent job in improving the park in recent year, adding interpretation and signs for the main trees. This makes the park feel cared for, although not overly manicured.
“There are some great wilder areas, vital for increasing biodiversity. It’s a well-used park with people walking, lots of dog activity and runners. I often do my interval training there, running several laps, sometimes to the bemusement of other park users. The lovely surroundings make the pain of the session pass more quickly.”
Angela Constance, MSP, said about Howden Park in Livingston: “Parks and green spaces play an important part in our towns and villages. They promote much needed environmental and recreational opportunities whilst also promoting public health, mental wellbeing and a safe, fun, educational area for our children.
“Along with many parents in West Lothian I have enjoyed visiting Howden Park with my own son as he was growing up for picnics, walks, and play, and would encourage others to utilise the parks and open green spaces they have in their own areas.”
These celebrity testimonies add to the soulful portraits of Scottish people who exemplify the value that parks provide captured by talented Scottish photographer David Anderson, providing well-known voices speaking out for the future of green spaces.
Visit the Public Figures Gallery within the Park Portraits campaign on the greenspace scotland website to see more stories from notable Scottish figures about their parks.
Donations to Parks4Life can be made online or by texting PARK to 70450 to make a one-off donation of £5. The funds raised through Parks4Life will be invested to provide an endowment to provide an ongoing source of funds for parks.
The endowment will be used by communities across Scotland to support local park improvements, activities, and events; making sure local parks from large cities to small towns are nurtured and cherished for the future.
People across Scotland who would like to share their own Park Portrait and park story are invited to post on social media using the hashtag #Parks4LifePortraits and submit to the greenspace scotland page here.
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