Thriving green spaces project

The Council is leading on a project to create a new vision for the city’s green spaces. This will be captured in a 30-year strategy which aligns with Edinburgh’s 2050 city vision.

The project is being achieved by a £899,500 grant from the Heritage Fund and the Natural Trust. They have joined together to provide funding to local authorities to develop bold, innovative and financial management solutions for their green spaces. You can read more about this on the Heritage Fund Website or see Future Parks Initiative or National Trust

What will we do

The project will run for two years until May 2021. The funding is being used to recruit a project team and buy in professional expertise to

  • carry out research and studies
  • start pilots
  • gather robust baseline information

which will create thriving green spaces 2050 vision and strategy for Edinburgh.

To deliver this project we are working with our project bid partners

  • greenspace Scotland
  • Scottish Wildlife Trust
  • Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust
  • University of Edinburgh
  • Edinburgh green spaces forum

who are the group for the city’s various Friends of Groups.

Our work will determine how our green spaces need to change so that they play an active role in delivering greater benefits in areas such as

  • health and wellbeing
  • active travel
  • biodiversity
  • recreation
  • social cohesion. 

Download our information briefing for more details


How you can get involved

You can give your views by coming along to

  • meetings
  • workshops
  • other events

which will start in the autumn.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep updated on progress. 

We are also interested to hear from you if you want to volunteer your time on this project. We need volunteers to

  • speak to a group
  • run a workshop
  • help advertise
  • run events
  • write pieces for local publications.

You will receive training, materials and expenses. 

Please email parks@edinburgh.gov.uk if you would like to to join the mailing list and find out more about volunteering.