An amazing 33 of Edinburgh’s parks have joined the list of exceptional Scottish parks which get the Green Flag status. There are 71 across Scotland so Edinburgh appears to be doing rather well.
Pictured Friends of Fairmilehead Park and Gary Law, David Jamieson from Edinburgh council parks team
Pictured Friends of Fairmilehead Park Roger West and Joanne Carrie with Gary Law, David Jamieson from Edinburgh council parks team
The accolades are handed out by Keep Scotland Beautiful recognising the importance of clean safe outdoor spaces.
The Edinburgh parks include :
- Braidburn Valley Park
- Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park
- Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden
- Craigmillar Castle Park
- Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve
- Ferniehill Community Park
- Ferry Glen and Back Braes
- Figgate Park
- Hailes Quarry Park
- Harrison Park
- Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve
- Hopetoun Crescent Garden
- Inverleith Park
- King George V & Scotland Yard Park
- Lochend Park
- London Road Gardens
- Morningside Park
- Muirwood Park
- Pentland Hills Regional Park
- Portobello Community Garden
- Prestonfield Park
- Princes Street Gardens
- Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve and Park
- Rosefield Park
- Seven Acre Park
- Spylaw Park
- St Margaret’s Park
- Starbank Park
- Station Road Park
- Fairmilehead Park
- Lauriston Castle Park
- Victoria Park
Keep Scotland Beautiful,City of Edinburgh Council and the Friends of Fairmilehead Park gathered at Fairmilehead Park to celebrate their new award. Edinburgh’s Transport and Environment Vice Convener, Councillor Karen Doran, said: “We are so lucky to live in a city that has won 33 Green Flags. Winning this accolade for our city rests very much on the hard work of the staff from the parks department, along with the enormous contribution made by the many Friends of Parks groups and other volunteers.
“Our green spaces are vital to the well-being of the residents of a city, and The Green Flag scheme is a great incentive for maintaining the quality and accessibility of parks.”
The Green Flag Award, administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful, is the benchmark for green spaces and recognises the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who help ensure that outdoor areas provide everyone of all ages with a safe, clean and inspiring local environment.
Derek Robertson, Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful, commented:
“Scotland’s parks provide a valuable resource to communities across the country and access to quality green space is vital in helping to tackle some of the health and well-being challenges we face.
“I would like to congratulate the successful Edinburgh entries and indeed all 71 parks from across Scotland for achieving this prestigious benchmark. The Green Flag Award scheme sets the standard for the management of our outdoor spaces and recognises the hard work of everyone involved. This award is a tribute to local people in Edinburgh playing their part in creating and maintaining exceptional open spaces.”
The award acknowledges that well maintained parks help support healthy and stable communities and provide a range of health benefits – enabling exercise, improving mental well-being and encouraging children to play.
John Howie, Organisational Lead for Health Equity, NHS Health Scotland said:
“Where we live and where we spend our time has an important influence on our health and well-being. Good public places tend to be well looked after, are safe, attractive and accessible and strive to offer something for everyone.
“NHS Health Scotland are delighted that the Green Flag Award recognises these qualities and celebrates the invaluable efforts of Keep Scotland Beautiful, partners and communities across the country to ensure our public places continue to contribute to our health and well-being in a positive manner.”
Pictured Shirine Al Assaf 11
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
