Projects – Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

Clermiston Park Improvement Plan 2020

Consultation and community engagement

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Funded by: City of Edinburgh Council

Outputs:

• Produce finalised Improvement Plan for Clermiston Park

Outcomes:

• enable the key stakeholders to participate and have greater control on the development of the park’s management
• help improve green networks
• providing opportunities for communities to come together and take part in community engagement activities
• better understanding of the what are the key uses of the park are
• where the opportunities are to increase accessibility to greenspaces

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Campbell Park Orchard Planting

Greenspace improvements through community activity

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"I really enjoyed the occasion, it brought back some great memories of planting my first ever tree and this event has brought everyone together in the spirit of the community." Local resident

Outputs:

15 Trees planted, a mixture of apple and cherry trees

20 members of the local community were in attendance

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Innertube Map

An active travel map to help access off road routes and to aid navigation through greenspaces

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Health Walks

Outdoor walking programmes to encourage people to explore their local greenspaces to help them improve their health, wellbeing and to reduce isolation

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Since I started taking part in the walks, I have become physically fitter, more energized and feel happier. I benefit from walking and talking with different people. I am grateful to Kim & Ruth for the lovely areas they take us walking, the way they encourage us, and the tasty & beneficial refreshments they organize for us

Funded by: Paths For All

Outputs:

10 walking programmes in areas of South Edinburgh, Oxgangs, Dumbiedykes, Craigmillar and Leith /Lochend.
Each walking session is run with groups of approximately 8 people which is made up of approximately 4 current walkers and 4 new walkers per group.
Sessions are initially between 30 min and 1 hour long.

Outcomes:

Reduce isolation
Encourages the participants to gain new friendships
Increase levels of activity
Bring communities together
Help with cultural bridging

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Woodland Activities

Programmes of outdoor activities using local woodlands to help people feel more connected to nature

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"It was a fun experience, something I've never done before."

Funded by: Scottish Forestry

Outputs:

5 sessions of conservation with Dads Work
50m of hedging maintained at Levenhall Links
5m of brash hedge created at Levenhall Links

Outcomes:

Extended opportunities for people to gain new skills and knowledge
Increased number of people from community groups who regularly access woodland areas
Increased participation in environmental and outdoor-based activities
Increased promotion of woodlands as places for health, education and enjoyment
Greater numbers of people feel a sense of ownership for their urban woodland resources and are encouraged to feel safe and welcome while using them
Mental and physical well being maximised through increased activity levels and contact with woodlands
Greater opportunities for social interaction through environmental activity
Increasing number of people regularly using woods for health, well being, learning and enjoyment.

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Outdoor Learning

Outdoor activities with local primary schools in Edinburgh to help them become more aware of their local environment

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Teaching staff have commented that some of the pupils who are normally disruptive in the classroom, have thoroughly engaged with the programme and that it’s been wonderful to watch them flourish and enjoy being in an outdoor learning environment.

Funded by: Scottish Natural Heritage, National Lottery YOYP

Outputs:

Working with 2 schools to deliver

Outcomes:

The programme with Clovenstone Primary has been successful so far and the children involved have enjoyed exploring the park and woodland area and getting to know it better. This had been particularly beneficial to the group we are working with who are part of the school’s nurture programme and respond well to outdoor-based learning rather than classroom-based. It has been challenging to only meet with the group for a relatively short period of time each month, and to plan activities that respond to group members’ typical behaviour which is high-energy and hands-on.

The project with Niddrie Mill Primary has been a great success so far. Many of the children had never visited the park before and it has been fantastic to observe the children’s and parent’s awareness and appreciation grow for nature and wildlife over the course the programme.

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Shale Trail

The ‘Shale Trail’ will now become a new route through West Lothian’s industrial past. Our aim will be to create an inspiring, enjoyable off-road trail of approximately 16 miles, which once complete, will tell the oil shale story, enabling local people and visitors to engage with and learn about every aspect of local shale heritage. People will have the opportunity to participate in …

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“The shale trail is another welcome addition to the visitor experience in West Lothian but can also be used by local residents to get out and about and explore their local heritage and environment.” Cllr Tom Conn, West Lothian Council Executive spokesman for the Environment

Funded by: Sustrans, CSGNT Development Fund

Outputs:

Create 16 miles of route between Winchburgh, Broxburn, Uphall, Livingston and West Calder that shines a new light on the rich oil shale heritage of West Lothian.
Build both digital and physical signage. Developing a new website that has been co designed with young people.
Develop a programme of community outreach which focuses on local heritage, health and wellbeing, recreation and the natural environment.

Outcomes:

• enable the key stakeholders to participate and have greater control on the development of green infrastructure
• raise awareness of the importance that green networks are to the local wildlife
• promote the active travel network and how it can link up with other areas in the city to encourage greater use of off road paths.
• providing opportunities for communities to come together and take part in community engagement activities.
• better understanding of the what are the key uses and links to local assets that the route could provide
• what are the potential economic benefits to creating the strategic routes.
• where the opportunities are to increase accessible greenspaces in the area.

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Harrison Park

Ongoing community engagement work in Harrison Park has involved events and activities for a range of groups in the local area to help encourage people to learn more about their local environment.

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Funded by: Mushroom Trust, City of Edinburgh Council

Outputs:

Over 200 people have benefited from the programme of events
2 bat walk
2 family events

Outcomes:

Increased community engagement
Development of skills for the local young people to ensure sustained maintenance of the area
Encourage use of the local park
Fun in the park

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Pentland to Portobello Feasability Study

The Pentland to Portobello active travel feasibility study intends to establish a route which runs from the base of the Pentland Hills to Portobello on the coast in Edinburgh. The aim of the project will enable people to travel predominantly off-road from the city to the countryside and create a green active travel corridor for the south east which would …

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It’s exciting to help launch the Pentland to Portobello Active Travel Project, and its vision of an accessible active travel link for the south east of Edinburgh. This study reflects the Council’s aims to encourage cycling and walking as enjoyable and healthy modes of transport by providing safe, welcoming routes, connecting new and existing developments Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport & Environment Convenor of the City of Edinburgh Council

Funded by: Sustrans, CSGNT Development Fund

Outputs:

• Define the total length of the route which will be broken down into different sections.
• Determine how it would link up with existing active travel routes to fit with the citywide network. This will involve working with the local authority, SPOKES and other active travel organisations. This will include additional signage for the network and ensuring the points of interest along the route link with the different neighbourhoods. It will also establish how it links with safer routes to schools.
• Identify options for dealing with the connections with infrastructure and who needs to be involved and the process and timescales.
• Determine the benefits to wildlife through green networks by providing an ecology report.
• Engage with the different owners of the land along the route.
• Determine the timescales of current housing developments and who would be involved.
• Deliver community engagement activities with the local groups along the route to ensure they are involved in the design process.
• Determine the health benefits especially for areas of disadvantage by increased access to active travel routes.
• Investigate the potential opportunities to help the area adapt to climate change.
• Determine the potential economic benefits the route would have on improving the appearance of the route and what the opportunities are for increased tourism to the area.

Outcomes:

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Leith Links Play Park

Kids of all ages have been treated with a brand new play park at Leith Links, becoming one of the Capital’s largest play spaces.

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Leith Links Community Council reported that all the users of the new Leith Links Play Park are absolutely delighted with the new design and facilities. It’s buzzing! The old play park was very limited and definitely past its sell-by-date. The newly upgraded play park, thanks to City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust, is so much more interesting, with lots of exciting new activities to explore and enjoy. The large wooden Pirate Ship is an especial favourite, for ‘clamberers’, also the new Zipwire is very popular. Safe, soft surfaces underfoot are reassuring for parents, who also like the seating facilities within the enclosure. A separate space for the smallest/ youngest children is much appreciated, as are the wheelchair friendly and all-age adapted activities that allow children with disabilities to be included in the fun. Thank you, CEC and ELGT Sally Millar, Leith Links Community Council

Funded by: FCC Communities Fund, City of Edinburgh

Outputs:

Ran 4 consolation sessions with the local community
New play surface with woodchip and a rubber safer surface.
Installed Mantis Zipwire, 2.4 Olympic Swing Basket with 2 seats, A block BLX410402 climbing unit, A breeze 3 way seated springer & a 3m cone net climber. For the toddle zone there would be a 2.4m Olympic Swing with seat and cradle, a sandplay area which includes a Slide Portland unit, a Bonnie Springer, a Poseidon Uni Play unit, a make it rain play piece, a wooden Snail seat, a 2m Orbit roundabout and a Springer water Lily. A Rolli Trampoline for wheelchairs users.
An area for natural play was created which includes a FHS stilt walk and Log Stack.
A Lappset 220511 parkour unit.

Outcomes:

Increased use of outdoor play
Improved appearance of the park
Less antisocial behaviour

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