Tag: Fields in Trust

More city parks gain protected status

As part of the Council’s ongoing partnership with charity Fields in Trust, residents can now enjoy improved access to 19 newly protected parks across the city.

Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker visited one of these at Cavalry Park this week, alongside John and Gail from the Friends of Cavalry Park. The pioneering agreement takes the total of protected parks in the city to 55. This represents an area of over 500 hectares, equivalent to some 700 football pitches.

Crucially, this means that over two-thirds of our residents are now within a ten-minute walk of a protected space.

This initiative comes as pressure on existing green space is set to rise, with the population of Edinburgh predicted to increase by 10% over the next 20 years.

Protection is a legal agreement between Fields in Trust and a space’s landowner that they will retain it for use as a green space in perpetuity. Ownership and management of the space remains locally with the existing landowner, ensuring the local community remain fully involved with the space.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city, and we want to ensure it remains so for generations to come. We already have more trees per resident than any other city in the UK and the most Green Flag Awards in Scotland but we’re always committed to doing more.

“It was fantastic to meet John and Gail today at Cavalry Park and hear what their local protected space means to them. 

“Through our partnership with Fields in Trust we’re ensuring that a high proportion of our residents are within a ten-minute walk of a protected greenspace.

“These spaces are essential for mental health, wellbeing, leisure, and community building and remain a key priority for us as part of our response to the climate and nature emergencies. As part of our Edinburgh’s Thriving Green Spaces 2050 strategy, we are committed to doing everything we can to safeguard, preserve and improve these spaces.  

“I hope other towns and cities will follow Edinburgh’s example and work with Fields in Trust to create better greenspaces for all.”

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths said: “Edinburgh boasts some really beautiful parks and green spaces and Fields in Trust has been incredibly proud to partner with the City of Edinburgh Council to make sure that even more of them are protected forever.

“Parks are the heart of Edinburgh, providing focal points for people from all communities to gather, relax or enjoy nature. Protecting them means they will help to fight the climate crisis and always be there to support residents’ health and wellbeing.

“The Council has done a truly remarkable thing for the people of Edinburgh, and generations will benefit from the actions they have taken today.”

The 19 newly protected parks are listed below:

  • Baronscourt Park       
  • Buckstone Park and Woods   
  • Cavalry Park   
  • Clermiston Park         
  • Cramond Walled Garden       
  • East Pilton Park          
  • Fairmilehead Park      
  • Gyle Park        
  • Inch Park        
  • Jewel Park      
  • Joppa Quarry Park     
  • Muirhouse Park         
  • Parkside Park 
  • Pikes Pool       
  • Ratho Station Park     
  • Roseburn Park
  • Seafield Recreation Ground   
  • Sighthill Park  
  • Spylaw Park    

About Fields in Trust:

Fields in Trust champions and supports our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy in perpetuity. Because once lost, they are lost forever. Fields in Trust is an independent charity with almost 100 years’ experience of protecting parks and green spaces.

Working with landowners, community groups and policymakers, they champion the value of parks and green spaces to achieve better protection for their future at both the local and national level.

More information on how to get involved can be found on their website. 

New partnership provides more protected green space in Edinburgh

= Nearly two in three people in Edinburgh live in flats compared to one in five in the UK
= One in seven residents currently has no access to private outdoor space

Residents in Edinburgh can be confident that they will always have access to green space, thanks to a partnership between charity Fields in Trust and the City of Edinburgh Council.

The landmark agreement will see the capital’s local authority become the first in Scotland to ensure that around 84% of residents who live in the city, are within a 10-minute walk of a permanently protected space.

Over and above the 36 parks already protected in Edinburgh, the council has committed to safeguarding an additional 19 green spaces across the city.

This initiative comes as pressure on existing green space is set to rise, with the population of Edinburgh predicted to increase by 10% over the next 20 years. 

Fields in Trust will now use a Holyrood reception hosted by Sarah Boyack MSP on 8 February, to call for local authorities, business and communities across the capital to collaborate and back the innovative partnership to protect the city’s green spaces and secure better access to them for generations to come.

The charity also wants to see other cities take the same approach, as the number of people living in cities is expected to rise over the next 20 years.

Overall, Scotland rates 1.21 on Fields in Trust’s Green Space Index against a benchmark standard of 1.0, making it the highest performing of the three home nations covered. However, the City of Edinburgh falls slightly short of the threshold overall at 0.9, with significant variances between wards ranging from 0.1 all the way up to 2.9. 

Helen Griffiths, chief executive of Fields in Trust, said: “We all understand the pressures faced by cities as the world changes. You don’t need to be a research scientist to work out that having access to parks and other green space is good for people’s physical and mental health and well-being.

“Whether you’re playing organised sport or just enjoying the sights and sounds of the park, it is imperative that as cities grow and new homes and infrastructure are built, legal steps are taken to protect these special places over the long-term. Parks do us all a world of good, so it’s up to us – all of us, to protect our parks for good.

“We look forward to sharing our experiences with MSPs and others in Holyrood and showcasing this important partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, whose enlightened approach will mean that nearly everyone in the city is within ten minutes of a park or green space.”

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Val Walker, said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city and we want to ensure it remains that way for generations to come.

“Through our partnership with Fields in Trust we will make sure that almost everyone in Edinburgh will be within a ten-minute walk of a protected green space, ensuring that for years to come citizens are guaranteed a lifetime of opportunity for activity, play, learning, recuperation and community. We hope other cities follow suit.”

Sarah Boyack MSP for Lothian, added:“Green spaces are vital for our mental and physical wellbeing. They offer a break from our sedentary lives and a chance to enjoy our natural environment.

“Green spaces are breathing spaces and should be accessible to everyone, regardless of the area they live, their income or background. That’s why I’m proud to host the Fields in Trust reception at the Scottish Parliament.

“Their campaign is inspiring – the pandemic has shown that green spaces have become increasingly important for people of all ages, whether for leisure or community gardening. We need action so that everyone can benefit from parks, gardens and green spaces across Scotland.”

The first ten parks and green spaces of the nineteen to be protected in Edinburgh under the partnership are:

Inch Park
Muirhouse
Roseburn
Gyle
Pikes Pool
Clermiston
Joppa Quarry Park
Spylaw
Sighthill
Fairmilehead

Super Starbank!

STARBANK PARK VOTED ONE OF SCOTLAND’s LOCAL FAVOURITES

Earlier this summer you nominated 364 local parks and green spaces for UK’s Favourite Parks. You then voted in your tens of thousands, demonstrating the immense love that we all have for our local parks, and Fields in Trust is delighted to announce that the UK’s Favourite Park 2022 is Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead, Wales.

Over 30,000 votes were cast for parks across the UK which represented the wide diversity of green spaces we all use and enjoy, from large country parks to major city parks to small neighbourhood pockets of green. Penrhos Coastal Park emerged as the overall UK winner having attracted the most votes from the public.

Across the Home Nations, Blackpool’s art deco Stanley Park has been named England’s Favourite Park 2022, attaining prestigious ‘National Treasure’ status having now been named as the public’s favourite park in England three times.

In Scotland the national title went to Seaton Park in Aberdeen, whilst Craigavon City Park in County Armagh took the title in Northern Ireland, the second time it has scooped its national accolade.

Fields in Trust are also delighted to announce the parks to have achieved ‘Local Favourite’ status, having placed in the top 20% of the public vote, demonstrating the love that their local communities have for them.

The full list of local favourite recipients can be found here and each will receive a special certificate to denote its success.

LOCAL FAVOURITES

Edinburgh’s STARBANK PARK features proudly on the list of Scotland’s Local Favourite parks. Also commended are Aden Country Park in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire; Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline; Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick and Grangemouth’s Zetland Park.

This is the first time that the overall winner of UK’s Favourite Parks has emerged from Wales, with Cyfarthfa Park in Merthyr Tydfil, Roath Park in Cardiff and Pontypool Park in Torfaen having taken the national title in recent years but not the overall honours.

Attracting close to 100,000 visitors each year, Penrhos Coastal Park is near Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey in north Wales.

The 200-acre park has everything from beaches to woodland walks and is extremely popular with both locals and tourists alike. With a rich history dating back to 1553, the green space is also home to several features of historical interest, including original Tudor-era buildings.

Commenting on the announcement of Penrhos Coastal Park as the UK’s Favourite Park 2022, Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, shared: “We’re incredibly excited to announce that Penrhos Coastal Park in Holyhead has been voted as the UK’s Favourite Park 2022 by those who use and love it.

“It is clear that this park is a very special place to a lot of people, and we are thrilled to officially crown it the UK’s favourite. We’ve had a fantastic response to the competition from all across the UK and I’d like to thank everyone who nominated and voted for parks over the past few weeks.

“The UK is home to such a diverse range of green spaces, and we hope that this award has encouraged people to truly appreciate their local parks. Our work to legally protect green spaces for good means we’re well aware of the threats they face and how important it is value and celebrate them.”

The campaign has illustrated how appreciation of our local parks has grown since the pandemic. As concerns mount over the climate crisis, green spaces have been proven to improve air quality and significantly limit the impact of heatwaves, by lowering urban temperatures.

With the annual Green Space Index revealing that 2.8 million people are not living within a ten-minute walk of a local park and that only 6% of green space provision in Britain is legally protected, the campaign has also highlighted the financial and developmental threats to green spaces.

By demonstrating our love for local parks, we can champion what they mean to communities and in turn help make the case for their long-term protection. Without legal protection our local parks can so easily be lost. And once lost, a green space is lost forever.

You can play your part in this protection of treasured local parks by making a donation to support Fields in Trust’s work.

Edinburgh parks in running for national award

Fields in Trust has announced that voting has officially opened to decide the ‘UK’s Favourite Parks’, with the national charity calling upon the residents of Edinburgh to support their local parks.

No fewer than 16 parks in Edinburgh are amongst the 364 spaces in the running for the title including Princes Street Gardens, Pilrig Park, Holyrood Park and local favourite Inverleith Park.

Votes will see ‘National Favourites’ being lauded from each of the Home Nations, with the one with the most being crowned the overall winner for 2022. 

Having launched the campaign back in 2015, this year has seen more nominations received than ever before, demonstrating just how much the nation has grown to appreciate green spaces over the past few years. 

Returning for the first time since 2019, this year’s campaign is particularly momentous it’s the first since the start of the pandemic, in which saw a significant rise in visits to local parks.

Over 350 spaces have been nominated in 2022, with every region in the UK represented on the list.

The full list can be found here, but the nominated parks in Edinburgh are: 

  • Blackford Hill
  •  Corstorphine Hill Park and Nature Reserve
  •  Figgate Park
  • Holyrood Park
  • Inverleith Park 
  • Lauriston Castle Park
  • Leith Links
  • Lochend Park
  • Montgomery Street Park
  • Pilrig Park
  • Princes Street Gardens
  • Saughton Park
  • Seven Acre Park
  • Spylaw Park
  • Starbank Park
  • The Meadows

The nominator of Princes Street Gardens shared: “I may be biased as a proud life-long Edinburger, but the Princes Street Gardens are a city treasure and this can be seen in the appreciation and recognition that the park has received worldwide.”

A supporter of Starbank Park said: “Starbank Park is a wonderful community walled garden park with panoramic views over the Firth of Forth.

“It is maintained by a special group of volunteers who work hard to make the park so breathtakingly beautiful and an oasis of calm in the busy city of Edinburgh.”

Research commissioned by the charity has revealed that local parks are in the top five attributes that influence people when considering where to live, surpassing libraries, theatres, pubs, and restaurants. A further 32% of people surveyed found it very important that a park or green space was within the local proximity when relocating.

Following the annual Green Space Index report released earlier this year, the study – which analyses the provision and distribution of parks and green spaces in the UK – found that 2.8 million people live more than ten minutes’ walk away from a green space. With only 6% of green space legally protected in Great Britain, Fields in Trust worries that this will only worsen in coming years if we do not appreciate and advocate for our local parks. 

Commenting on the commencement of the voting stage, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see that hundreds of parks and green spaces have been nominated up and down the country. It is incredibly heartening to hear the individual stories of significance for these spaces and this process has only emphasised the collective importance of having natural areas in our communities.

“As an organisation, we have worked for over a century to protect parks and green spaces, and there have never been such huge financial and development pressures threatening them. Now, it is up to all of us to prevent this cycle of disappearance and decline.”

The UK’s Favourite Parks was first awarded seven years ago and has already handed out the title to three parks from across the UK: inaugural winner, Telford Town Park; Rouken Glen Park in 2016; and Blackpool’s Stanley Park in both 2017 and 2019.

“We look forward to seeing the votes roll in over the next six weeks. In that time, I urge everyone in Edinburgh to vote for their local parks and green spaces.

“This advocacy and support is so important to demonstrate the importance of local parks, and by voting for yours, you can send a message to show just how valued they truly are.”

Voting is now open and will be live until 18th August.

To vote for your local park, visit www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks/nominations

Search is on for UK’s Favourite Parks

Fields in Trust – the independent charity that has been protecting parks and green spaces for almost 100 years – has announced that its search for the UK’s Favourite Parks is back this summer and is calling upon the residents of Edinburgh to get nominating now!

The popular campaign has returned for the first time since 2019 and covers the length and breadth of the nation to shine a light on the green spaces that hold a special place in our hearts.

Having acted as refuge to many over the past few years, Fields in Trust is bringing back the campaign to find the UK’s Favourite Parks to ensure that they continue to be celebrated in a post-pandemic world. 

The charity recently commissioned a study which found that almost half of us have visited local parks more often than we used to as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coupled with research that has shown that access to nature was one of the main ways people have supported their mental health during lockdowns, Fields in Trust is determined that this year’s campaign celebrates the spaces that gave us so much in our time of need. 

This year’s UK’s Favourite Parks campaign is made all-the-more important in light of the Fields in Trust’s recently released annual Green Space Index report.

The study – which analyses the provision and distribution of parks and green spaces in the UK – found that 2.8 million people live more than ten minutes’ walk away from a green space.

With only 6% of green space legally protected in Great Britain, Fields in Trust worries that this will only worsen in coming years if we do not appreciate and advocate for our local parks. 

Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, Helen Griffiths, said: “There is no doubt that the importance of green spaces has been acutely felt recently, with people increasingly turning to their local parks to find a sense of tranquillity, space, and belonging since the pandemic began.

“When restrictions were at their highest, many sought refuge in their daily walk around the park; and when restrictions lifted to allow outdoor gatherings, the same parks became the backdrop for reunions with loved ones and new memories made. 

“At a time when things were so hard for so many, these places provided respite; now, through our UK’s Favourite Parks campaign, we want to give people the chance to show their appreciation for the green spaces that were there for them.”

The search for the UK’s Favourite Parks starts today, meaning you can nominate your local green space now. Nominations are open until Tuesday 5 July, before the chosen parks go head-to-head in a public vote.

Regional spots to have made the UK’s Favourite Parks list in previous years include Figgate Park, Pittencrieff Park and Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick, and this year, the Fields in Trust team hopes to unearth even more green spaces that are close to Scotland’s hearts.

“We are thrilled to be on the search once again for the UK’s Favourite Parks and we have no doubt that we’ll find some absolute gems along the way. We can’t wait to see the places that get put forward in Scotland.

“Whether it’s the park you head for when the sun is shining; your favourite place to walk the dog; the place you go to stretch your legs; or your family’s favourite spot to spend quality time together: we want you to nominate your favourite today!”

To nominate your local park, visit www.fieldsintrust.org/favourite-parks.

Royal seal of approval for Starbank Park

Latest Green Space Index launched by Fields in Trust

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge launched the latest Green Space Index yesterday during a visit to Starbank Park.

The visit came ahead of COP26, which will be taking place in Glasgow later this year, with today’s event one of a number of projects with a positive effect on climate change that The Duke and Duchess have visited across Scotland.

Urban parks and green spaces boost air quality, support habitats and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The Green Space Index is Fields in Trust’s annual barometer of publicly accessible local park and green space provision. First launched in 2019, this third release once again highlights the inequities in provision across Britain.

Despite their value for health, wellbeing, community and environment, some parts of Britain have access to half the green space as others – Scots enjoy 38.18 sqm of provision per person whilst for residents in London the figure falls to just 19.53 sqm.

Seven of the nine English regions do not meet a minimum standard of green space provision as measured by the GSI Score, and whilst both Scotland and Wales do meet this minimum standard their scores have both fallen over the last twelve months.

Areas with the least provision tend to be those with a higher incidence of deprivation – precisely the communities who benefit most from green space access.

Across Britain, 2.78 million people live further than a ten-minute walk from their nearest park or green space. That’s the finding of the latest Green Space Index which reveals that, despite their vital role in the nation’s wellbeing during lockdown, our much loved local parks are not equally accessible to all.

The findings of the Index were reviewed by Fields in Trust President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge who was visiting Starbank Park with HRH The Duchess of Cambridge as part of their tour of Scotland.

The Duke and Duchess met volunteers from the Friends of Starbank Park and local residents of all ages for whom the park was a sanctuary during the coronavirus lockdowns as a place to play, exercise, relax and reflect.

Yesterday’s event also saw Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, unveil a new commitment by The City of Edinburgh Council which will ensure almost everyone in the city lives no more than a ten-minute walk from a green space which is legally protected for good.

Starbank Park is one of 34 already protected with Fields in Trust by The City of Edinburgh Council and today’s announcement by the Lord Provost means that figure is set to grow.

The Council will protect a further 25 green spaces, serving communities who do not already have a protected space close to home, to ensure almost everyone in the city lives no more than a ten-minute walk from a park or green space which is protected for good.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, said: “Edinburgh is already a wonderfully green city, and we want to ensure it remains that way for generations to come.

“I’m extremely pleased to announce that the City of Edinburgh Council will be looking to partner with Fields in Trust in protecting in perpetuity a further 25 green spaces – adding to the 34 already protected.

“This will mean that almost everyone in Edinburgh will be within a ten-minute walk of a protected green space, ensuring that for years to come citizens are guaranteed a lifetime of opportunity for activity, play, learning, recuperation and community.

“Scores of volunteers across the city work alongside the Council to support our parks, green spaces and cemeteries. We are very grateful to Friends of Starbank Park their ongoing hard work and dedication and we will continue to work with them to make sure these important areas are preserved for the benefit of our future generations.”

The City of Edinburgh Council will protect a further 25 green spaces for good – taking their total to 59 local parks – to ensure nearly all the city’s residents live no more than a ten-minute walk from a protected green space.

In taking this commitment the city council has become the first local authority in Scotland to adopt such a bold vision for their green spaces and follows in the footsteps of Liverpool City Council.

Discover the Green Space Index findings near you using our interactive online map covering the whole of Great Britain.

EXPLORE THE MAP

Call for Holyrood candidates to commit to protection of Scotland’s local parks and green spaces

Green space charity Fields in Trust Scotland is calling on candidates in May’s Parliamentary elections to recognise the importance of our local parks and green spaces and sign a pledge committing to protect them from development if elected.

The Parks Protector Pledge contains six key points which set out how elected policymakers can work to protect, support and champion green spaces for good, both locally and nationally. Candidates standing for election to the Scottish Parliament are invited to make a public commitment to the Pledge.

Following a year in which we have valued our local parks more than ever before, the Fields in Trust charity is calling on candidates to demonstrate support for green spaces by joining 40 members of the Westminster Parliament, representing five different parties, who signed the Parks Protector Pledge at the 2019 General Election.

Fields in Trust is also encouraging electors to ask their candidates how they will support local parks and green spaces if elected.

Fields in Trust is an independent, UK-wide charity which has been legally protecting parks and green spaces since 1925 and currently protects 297 spaces covering nearly 2,300 hectares in Scotland. HRH The Duke of Edinburgh served as President of the charity for 64 years.

Chair of Fields in Trust Scotland, Brian Samson said: “Parks and green spaces have been vital lifelines for communities across Scotland over the last twelve months; they will continue to be an essential element of our pandemic recovery.

“Yet 2.7 million people across Britain, including 318,355 people in Scotland, already live more than a ten-minute walk from a public park and this is set to increase in the next five years.

“MSP’s can play a significant role in delivering the health, wellbeing, environmental and community benefits that parks and green spaces provide, by ensuring they are protected for future generations to enjoy”.

Fields in Trust has published original research demonstrating parks and green spaces contribute to community health and wellbeing and can address multiple policy challenges, including health improvement; tackling loneliness; addressing childhood obesity; benefitting the environment and delivering volunteer opportunities.

Protecting these public assets is not something that is politically contested and by building cross-party support in championing the value of local parks, future legislative reform can protect local green spaces that matter to constituents.