Parks for People
This Parks for People project was led by City of Edinburgh Council in partnership with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (RCHS) and the Friends of Saughton Park (FoSP).
Saughton Park’s history dates back to 1639. It housed an asylum in the 19th century, where plant care and gardening were used in patients’ recovery. Between 1900 and 1905 the park was purchased by the council to provide a community recreational space. Its tradition of nature-based therapy continues to this day.
A restorative space for all
Project works included the restoration of the bandstand and walled garden and a new plaza and café. These provide space for wellbeing activities, including pioneering horticultural therapy classes run by RCHS.
Michael, a volunteer who has been on a placement with the park’s head gardener, said: “[volunteering] was a great thing to build up my confidence and self-esteem.”
The therapeutic space is also a social space designed to make everyone feel at home. The park offers a variety of activities including cycling classes for people with disabilities, making use of modified bikes and re-designed park paths, and events organised with local Syrian community groups to make refugees feel welcome.
It’s also an important space for nature, bordered on one side by the Water of Leith where otters can be seen not far from the heart of Edinburgh. This natural area is used to encourage wildlife and biodiversity and includes a community orchard.
Read more about this project in our parks research report.
