A reception at the Scottish
Parliament has focused on the need to protect more of Edinburgh's green spaces
for good and asked local businesses and communities across the capital to get
involved to help this happen.
Fields in Trust are working with The City of Edinburgh Council to bring
their ambition to life and ensure that nearly everyone in the capital has a
legally protected green space close to where they live.
The Council already protects 36 parks across the city and have committed to
securing another 19 parks, meaning that 84% of the city's residents will be
within a ten-minute walk of a permanently protected green space.
The reception, hosted by Lothian region MSP Sarah Boyack, was an opportunity
for all those attending to hear stories about the impact the city's green
spaces have on Edinburgh's communities and to call on others to get involved
and help protect the city's green spaces for generations to come.
A new series of case studies called 'Memories are made in our parks' and
commissioned by Fields in Trust show residents telling stories based on the
memories that the city's parks hold for them and explaining why these parks
being permanently protected green spaces is so important.
Of the nineteen additional green spaces being protected, ten will initially
be protected, followed by a further nine to complete the partnership. Legal
work on the agreements to protect the first ten, which include Inch Park, Gyle
Park and Spylaw Park, is underway and Fields in Trust now needs the support
Edinburgh's local communities to help achieve this charitable work.
Sarah Boyack MSP
for Lothian, said: "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."
Chair of the Fields in Trust Scotland Committee, Ewan Gillies, issued a rallying call
to other local authorities across Scotland to follow the lead set by The City
of Edinburgh Council and protect their green spaces for good. Speaking last
night, Ewan said: "For almost 100 years Fields in Trust have been
protecting places like Saughton Park as well used outdoor community social
centres. We all know that green space can play a vital role in people's health
and wellbeing. That's why we're proud to protect over 300 spaces across the
whole of Scotland - from the King George Play Park in the most northernly town
in Scotland Lerwick, Shetland, to Lady Stair Park in Dumfries and
Galloway."
Culture and Communities Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, Cllr Val Walker, added:
"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."
