Craigmillar Castle Park

Craigmillar Castle Park

This project offers a wide range of community events and volunteering opportunities that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of nature and the wonderful woodlands and parklands of Craigmillar Castle Park.

This project offers a wide range of community events and volunteering opportunities that foster a greater understanding and appreciation of nature and the wonderful woodlands and parklands of Craigmillar Castle Park.

"The ELGT events in Craigmillar Castle Park have been a great way to spend time with my young family – slowing down and connecting to each other and also the environment. These activities and their delivery are a great hook to grab the kids attention and make them notice their environment, get them interested - while being cleverly designed to involve us big kids too - a magical combination. It even works in the torrential rain! A huge well done and thank you." Family festival participant

Funded by: Scottish Forestry, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Enterprise, Heritage Lottery Fund

Outputs:

  • Extensive thinning within Millennium woodland compartments
  • 2097.6 m of existing path upgrades
  • 633.6 m of new path in Hawkhill woodland
  • Regeneration of Chestnut Avenue, including the planting of 15 sweet chestnut standards
  • Regeneration of Yew Tree Walk, including the planting of 15 small yews.
  • Installation of 6 Finger Posts
  • 127 community engagement activities delivered
  • Engaged with 2767 local people
  • Delivered Upskilling Project in partnership with Youthbuild and Newbattle Abbey College
  • Successful in securing additional funding to deliver specific events and projects
  • Delivered John Muir Explorer Award in partnership with Carr Gomm
  • Assisted in delivering Junior Ranger Programme with Castleview Primary and the University of Edinburgh
  • Craigmillar Walking group in partnership with Connecting Craigmillar and the Thistle Foundation set-up
  • Outdoors In with Carr Comm and Sandys Community Centre

Outcomes:

  • Improved appearance of the park
  • Benefits to wildlife and biodiversity
  • Foster a greater sense of community pride
  • Improved green networks and connectivity
  • A visible aesthetic improvement to the landscape
  • Greater community engagement with local woodlands and their associated benefits such as an increased value of greenspace and biodiversity
  • Increased community participation and cohesion
  • Increased opportunities for outdoor activities and healthy living
  • Increased number of people using and valuing Craigmillar Castle Park