It might be feeling like the depths of winter today, but Spring is on the horizon!
Join us and Friends of Pilrig Park this weekend to plant woodland bulbs like native bluebells, snowdrops, winter aconite and wood anemone as part of improvements in Pilrig Park.
Saturday 22nd February
Pilrig Park
10am to 12 pm – join us when you can
No experience or equipment necessary.
Gloves and tools will be provided.
Dress for the weather and wear clothes you won’t mind getting a bit dirty.
West Pilton Park will benefit from over £4M of investment for improvements to access, play, wildlife, planting and recreation.
The park will become a destination and attraction for all within the local area and beyond to access good quality greenspace. Funding has been secured to enable the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) to procure the services of SLR landscape architects to carry out a redesign in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council.
Following consultation with the local community, planning permission has been granted to enable the project to move to the next step of sourcing a contractor to carry out the work which is due to start in 2025.
The project is being managed by ELGT which aims to reinvigorate the public space, encouraging more people to use the park, which in turn will help improve their health and wellbeing. The development of amenities including new play, skate, and bouldering areas has been welcomed by the local community and will offer local residents the opportunity to use the park more for recreation.
A new community growing space will also allow local people and organisations to participate in community growing activities.
Well-designed, well-maintained, and accessible green space can have a positive impact on public health. Encouraging those who do not currently use the park regularly to do so could make a big difference to everyday lives.
The redevelopment will also help to mitigate against climate change, local flooding, and wildlife loss. This will include the creation of a seasonal wetland area, woodland restoration, meadow creation, and the planting of hundreds more trees across the park. This will provide a boost for wildlife and build climate resilience, as well as providing a visually attractive landscape for people to live their daily lives.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “Following consultation with the local community, I’m very excited that the West Pilton Park development will be taking the next steps towards creating a welcoming green space for the community, in partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT).
“We are fortunate to have 144 parks and green spaces across the city and 38 Green Flag Awards – so it’s easy to see why we’re considered the UK’s greenest city.
“Our parks have a positive impact on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing space for exercise, relaxation, social contact with friends and family, and opportunities for children and young people to play.
“I look forward to seeing the space at West Pilton Park take shape for our community and the development of new play areas and growing opportunities for locals and organisations.”
Chief Executive of Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, Charlie Cumming, said: “I am delighted with the plans to make improvements to West Pilton Park, with thanks to our funders and the City of Edinburgh Council.
“The new amenities will provide an opportunity to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents as well as helping them to reclaim the park as a welcoming community space.
“The new play facilities will help meet the needs of the local children now and for future generations and will encourage greater use of the park for local families. The local community were at the centre of the consultation process, and it was their responses that ultimately guided the designs.
“Everyone deserves access to modern amenities and it’s important to have high quality greenspaces that people of all ages can enjoy. It also provides an opportunity to reconnect with nature and help to mitigate against climate change and biodiversity loss.
“It has been great for ELGT to lead on this project so far and we look forward to breaking ground soon and delivering this park for the local community.”
Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts, Valla Moodiesaid: “We are looking forward to enjoying the rejuvenated park in West Pilton.
“The plans will create an improved space which will be a welcome addition to the quality greenspace across the community, bringing multiple benefits to local people and to local nature.”
Our first Free Tree Giveaway event will be taking place this week!
You can find us at Gyle Shopping Centre on Friday 3rd November and Saturday 4th November! Just drop-in at anytime between 10am – 2pm to pick your free garden tree.
GET INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING EXCITING NEW PLANS FOR LOCAL GREEN SPACE
West Pilton Park Development Meeting
Tuesday 13th June, 5.30 – 7pmatWest Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
West Pilton Park has received significant funding for development. We need your help to guide issues such as paths & access, play & leisure, nature & wildlife, and security.
Come along, get involved, and help guide the development of your local greenspace.
Dylaw and Telford Community Council is delighted to announce that funding has been secured to carry out a community wide consultation to seek the views of local people on what can be done to improve the greenspaces in our area.
This work will build on a previous consultation carried out more than 15 years ago which saw more than £500,000 worth of investment in improving local open spaces.
The £5,000 funding from the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Community Grants Fund will enable the community council to work with Edinburgh and Lothian Greenspace Trust (ELGT) again on this exciting project.
Over the next few months there will be a wide range of opportunities for local people to give their views on what could be done to improve some of the open spaces in our area.
Community Council Chairperson, Jimmy Galloway, said: “We are very fortunate in our area to have some great big parks and open spaces for locals to use. These areas are busy and well used and it is now time to see what else could be done to make them even better.
“This consultation will ensure everyone within the community gets the opportunity to give us feedback. That could be by completing an online survey or attending one of the many events that will be taking place.
“We are really looking forward to getting started in the coming weeks and I certainly can’t wait to see the results.
“We are working with the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust on this – they have worked with us in the past and have a great knowledge of the area and a proven track record of delivering projects.”
Charlie Cumming, Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with Drylaw and Telford community Council again to help develop plans to improve the local greenspaces.
“There are many opportunities to help make the area greener and more biodiverse which will mitigate against climate change. The aim being to create a great place for future generations and to encourage greater use of the greenspaces for local families.”
Saturday 22nd February
10am to 12 pm – join us when you can
Have your say!
Let us know what you think before Friday 25th October
Community Tree Care Day 
Granton Crescent Park
Wednesday 28th February 2024
Drop in from 10.00am to 12 noon
