Priceless! Putting a value on the city’s parks

New research has revealed just how much our parks are worth to us

VictoriaParkAnalysis carried out on behalf of the Council by Carrick Associates demonstrates for the first time the impact of the city’s 140 green spaces. The study, which uses a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach, has valued their benefits at an impressive £114m.

By measuring the social, environmental and economic change experienced by those who use Edinburgh’s parks, researchers were able to apply a monetary value to the effects.

Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “This research demonstrates just how important parks are for our health, well being, environmental awareness and even local economy.

“Our parks are the gem in Edinburgh’s crown and are a real success story for the capital, as recent awards from Britain in Bloom and Entente Florale have recognised. But more than that, they are at the heart of many of the city’s communities.”

As part of the analysis, parks were divided into different categories – Premier, City, Natural Heritage and Community – and their stakeholders and benefits assessed.

Amongst these were the community, whose gains varied from enhanced fitness levels to well being, local employers, who could benefit from a more productive workforce, and school pupils, who are expected to build environmental awareness from a visit to the park.

By monitoring and interviewing visitors on their experiences, analysts concluded that, for every £1 spent by the Council maintaining parks, £12 of social, economic and environmental benefits will be delivered. The report also estimates an annual revenue of £51m for local businesses, health and well being benefits worth around £40.5m and outdoor education experiences equating to just under £1m.

Analysis builds on the results of the Edinburgh People’s Survey 2013, which found that the average Edinburgh resident visits a park in the city on 49 days in the year – almost one day a week.

Over the past five years a steady improvement in the quality of parks has been evidenced by annual Park Quality Assessments, as well as a record number of Green Flag Awards, and national and international recognition by Britain in Bloom and Entente Florale.

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Edinburgh’s parks: Their value

  • This analysis has allowed the Council to predict that by using City of Edinburgh Council’s parks:
  • Individuals will gain health and wellbeing benefits worth around £40.5 million
  • The impact on social inclusion and community capacity is calculated to be worth over £6 million
  • Local businesses and the economy will gain additional revenue from visitors to the parks in the region of £51 million
  • Schools, nurseries and colleges are able to provide outdoor educational experiences that equate to just under £1 million
  • The awareness and understanding gained by visitors of their local environment is valued at just under £5 million
  • For an investment of £9,684,000 in parks and green space by City of Edinburgh Council it is estimated benefits worth £114,191,000 are generated.

Priceless! Putting a value on the city's parks

New research has revealed just how much our parks are worth to us

VictoriaParkAnalysis carried out on behalf of the Council by Carrick Associates demonstrates for the first time the impact of the city’s 140 green spaces. The study, which uses a Social Return on Investment (SROI) approach, has valued their benefits at an impressive £114m.

By measuring the social, environmental and economic change experienced by those who use Edinburgh’s parks, researchers were able to apply a monetary value to the effects.

Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “This research demonstrates just how important parks are for our health, well being, environmental awareness and even local economy.

“Our parks are the gem in Edinburgh’s crown and are a real success story for the capital, as recent awards from Britain in Bloom and Entente Florale have recognised. But more than that, they are at the heart of many of the city’s communities.”

As part of the analysis, parks were divided into different categories – Premier, City, Natural Heritage and Community – and their stakeholders and benefits assessed.

Amongst these were the community, whose gains varied from enhanced fitness levels to well being, local employers, who could benefit from a more productive workforce, and school pupils, who are expected to build environmental awareness from a visit to the park.

By monitoring and interviewing visitors on their experiences, analysts concluded that, for every £1 spent by the Council maintaining parks, £12 of social, economic and environmental benefits will be delivered. The report also estimates an annual revenue of £51m for local businesses, health and well being benefits worth around £40.5m and outdoor education experiences equating to just under £1m.

Analysis builds on the results of the Edinburgh People’s Survey 2013, which found that the average Edinburgh resident visits a park in the city on 49 days in the year – almost one day a week.

Over the past five years a steady improvement in the quality of parks has been evidenced by annual Park Quality Assessments, as well as a record number of Green Flag Awards, and national and international recognition by Britain in Bloom and Entente Florale.

botanics3

Edinburgh’s parks: Their value

  • This analysis has allowed the Council to predict that by using City of Edinburgh Council’s parks:
  • Individuals will gain health and wellbeing benefits worth around £40.5 million
  • The impact on social inclusion and community capacity is calculated to be worth over £6 million
  • Local businesses and the economy will gain additional revenue from visitors to the parks in the region of £51 million
  • Schools, nurseries and colleges are able to provide outdoor educational experiences that equate to just under £1 million
  • The awareness and understanding gained by visitors of their local environment is valued at just under £5 million
  • For an investment of £9,684,000 in parks and green space by City of Edinburgh Council it is estimated benefits worth £114,191,000 are generated.

More Green Flag glory for Edinburgh

VictoriaPark

A record number of 59 Scottish parks will fly a Green Flag this year after receiving the environmental award, eight more than last year. Edinburgh topped the list with 26 flags – two up on last year.

Entrants are assessed on eight criteria, including whether the park or green space is welcoming, healthy, safe, clean and well-maintained. Parks and green spaces must also be sustainable, manage conservation and heritage, have community involvement, market themselves and have good management.

The Award scheme is administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful. Derek Robertson, chief executive of the charity, said: “Scotland’s parks are going from strength to strength. We’re very proud of all of our award winners and particularly of the army of local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make Scottish parks beautiful.”

Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said: “The availability of high-quality green space and parks is very important for the health and well-being of the people of Scotland. Long may these commendable efforts continue.”

The announcement comes during Love Parks Week (26 July – 3 August), a celebration of our beautiful parks and green spaces across the UK. This annual campaign is managed by Keep Britain Tidy and supported, in Scotland, by Keep Scotland Beautiful.

The city council’s Environment Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “We have a beautiful array of parks here in Edinburgh, ranging from small residential spots like Montgomery Street Park to world famous landmarks, such as Calton Hill.

“With the invaluable support of dedicated community and Friends of Parks groups, our parks team work tirelessly to ensure the green spaces across the city, many of them Green Flag Award-winners, are of a national standard.

“But we can’t do this without the support of the public. Our parks provide a haven for people around Edinburgh, particularly during the warmer weather, and I ask those who use them to keep them that way by behaving responsibly and disposing of litter.”

Edinburgh is currently gearing up to represent the UK in the Entente Florale, Europe’s largest environmental competition – judges visit the city’s parks and open spaces next month.

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Blooming brilliant – Edinburgh strikes gold!

Edinburgh has won a top prize at the Britain in Bloom National Awards.  Scotland’s capital city beat off competition from every corner of the UK to win the prestigious Gold award in the Large City category, it was announced at a ceremony last night (Saturday 12 October).

City council Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds said: “This is fantastic news, I am delighted that Edinburgh has won such a prestigious award. This is entirely due to the talents and sheer hard work of our many Friends of Parks’ groups, community volunteers and the Council’s parks team. Edinburgh is a stunning city with beautiful parks and green spaces, and we will continue to work towards protecting and enhancing them.”

Britain in Bloom is an annual competition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society.

InverleithPark

Getting greener!

RavelstonPark

Fifty-plus Green Flag parks in Scotland and Edinburgh’s home to half of them!

More Scottish parks than ever before will be flying a Green Flag this year, with over 50 parks and green spaces being awarded the Flag – and more than half of them are in Edinburgh!

Victoria, Ravelston and Inverleith Parks are among 26 Edinburgh green spaces to receive the award, but sadly no Green Flag will fly over Drylaw, West Pilton or Muirhouse Linear Park this year.

The Green Flag Award, which is administered by Keep Scotland Beautiful, is the benchmark for a quality green space, and awards have been made this year to parks and gardens run by local authorities, a university and a community group.

In all, 51 parks have been awarded, up from 44 last year.

Parks are assessed by volunteer judges who usually have a background in parks management, conservation or ecology. They judge against eight criteria testing whether the park or green space is: welcoming; healthy, safe and secure; clean and well-maintained; sustainable; manages conservation and heritage; has community involvement; markets itself, and has good management.

Carole Noble, Head of Environmental Services for Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “This is a real success story for Scotland – we now have over 50 Green Flag parks for the first time.

“We’re very proud of the local authorities and other park managers, and particularly of the army of local volunteers who work all year round in rain or shine to make Scottish parks beautiful.

“Just like in our other campaigns such as Clean Up Scotland and Beautiful Scotland, great people make great places, and these awards are for them.”

Councillor Lesley Hinds. The city council’s Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It is wonderful that once again the parks of Edinburgh have been honoured by these national awards. Winning Green Flags for Parks’ awards for another year is a wonderful achievement.

“Our beautiful green spaces are managed and maintained by an excellent team who work hard to create attractive and peaceful spots for visitors and locals to enjoy. Their efforts have been rewarded and I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved.

“We will keep up the momentum by working with organisations such as Keep Scotland Beautiful to protect and develop our parks and gardens.”

Edinburgh's Green Flag ParksKeepScotlandBeautiful

Edinburgh’s green forever (and that’s nothing to do with Sunday’s Cup result either!)

Victoria Park
Victoria Park

Edinburgh has been recognised for protecting most parks and green spaces in the UK at a prestigious award ceremony. The City of Edinburgh Council was awarded Landowner of the Year at the inaugural Fields in Trust Awards 2012 ceremony that celebrated the achievements of the charity’s Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge programme, and the city was also given £10,000 from Fields in Trust to spend on further improving the city’s parks.

The city received the award for dedicating more sites as part of The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge than any other UK landowner – a total of 25 sites across Edinburgh. This commits the Council to dedicating the named sites for the purposes of public recreation, in perpetuity, for the use of the residents of Edinburgh.

Councillor Jim Orr, the city’s Environment Vice-Convener, said: “Here in Edinburgh we have no shortage of beautiful outdoor spaces and this Council recognises the important role they play in boosting the well-being of communities. I’m delighted that Fields in Trust have recognised our efforts in dedicating many of our green spaces as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. This will have a lasting legacy for Edinburgh and reaffirms this city’s commitment to protecting our parks and green spaces for future generations.”

The dedicated sites are (local parks highlighted):

  • Easter Drylaw Park
  • Ravelston Park
  • Ravelston Woods
  • Starbank Park
  • Victoria Park
  • Figgate Park
  • Lochend Park
  • Rosefield Park
  • Portobello Golf Course
  • Braidburn Valley Park
  • Hermitage of Braid
  • Blackford Hill
  • Morgan Playing Fields
  • Morningside Park
  • Seven Acre Park
  • Colinton Mains Park
  • Easter Craiglockhart Hill
  • Hailes Quarry Park
  • Harrison Park
  • Saughton Park & Gardens
  • Ferry Glen
  • St Margaret’s Park
  • Union Park
  • Montgomery Street Park
  • Pilrig Park

Fields in Trust was founded in 1925 and is the only national charity working to safeguard and improve outdoor recreational spaces. The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge aims to protect outdoor recreational spaces as a legacy from HM The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Easter Drylaw Park
Easter Drylaw Park

It’s official – Edinburgh’s blooming beautiful!

It’s official – Edinburgh is Scotland’s most beutiful city! The capital secured the top spot at the Beautiful Scotland awards yesterday (11 September) and will now go on to represent Scotland in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

 Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds (pictured below) said: “It’s fantastic news that Edinburgh has been recognised as the top city in Scotland for its green spaces. I was thrilled to meet the judges when they visited Edinburgh last month and I’m delighted we can now add another Beautiful Scotland City Award to the capital’s impressive record of accolades for parks and green spaces.

“The award positively reflects on all the excellent work staff do to keep the city looking attractive all year round. My deepest thanks must also go to all the volunteers and local community groups who have worked hard to successfully transform their local environments. However this is not a time to be complacent as we’ll now be looking ahead to next summer’s Britain in Bloom competition where Edinburgh will be representing Scotland in the national awards. Here’s hoping we can add a gold medal next year to our collection!”

 

It's official – Edinburgh's blooming beautiful!

It’s official – Edinburgh is Scotland’s most beutiful city! The capital secured the top spot at the Beautiful Scotland awards yesterday (11 September) and will now go on to represent Scotland in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

 Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Hinds (pictured below) said: “It’s fantastic news that Edinburgh has been recognised as the top city in Scotland for its green spaces. I was thrilled to meet the judges when they visited Edinburgh last month and I’m delighted we can now add another Beautiful Scotland City Award to the capital’s impressive record of accolades for parks and green spaces.

“The award positively reflects on all the excellent work staff do to keep the city looking attractive all year round. My deepest thanks must also go to all the volunteers and local community groups who have worked hard to successfully transform their local environments. However this is not a time to be complacent as we’ll now be looking ahead to next summer’s Britain in Bloom competition where Edinburgh will be representing Scotland in the national awards. Here’s hoping we can add a gold medal next year to our collection!”

 

Sun comes out for Granton gardeners’ BBQ

What a difference some sunshine makes!

A steady stream of local residents – and at least one wee visitor from Pilton! – popped into the Granton Community Garden this afternoon to enjoy a barbecue. Much of the food was grown in the community garden – doesn’t it always taste better when you’ve grown it yourself?

The garden’s looking good and it’ll look even better with a few more days sunshine. Here’s hoping …

Sun comes out for Granton gardeners' BBQ

What a difference some sunshine makes!

A steady stream of local residents – and at least one wee visitor from Pilton! – popped into the Granton Community Garden this afternoon to enjoy a barbecue. Much of the food was grown in the community garden – doesn’t it always taste better when you’ve grown it yourself?

The garden’s looking good and it’ll look even better with a few more days sunshine. Here’s hoping …