Local MSP praises Saughton Park funding

saughton park nature environment

Local MSP Gordon Macdonald has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament urging the parliament to celebrate that Edinburgh Council has received £3.8m from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore and improve Saughton Park.

The full text of the motion is:

That the Parliament congratulates the Friends of Saughton Park and the City of Edinburgh Council on being awarded £3.8 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore and improve Saughton Park; understands that this will include restoration of the walled garden with new herbaceous borders, refurbishment of the winter garden, reinstatement of the original bandstand and the building of a new cafe and public toilet complex, and understands that detailed design work will start immediately, with construction works starting in 2017, with the newly restored historic park fully opening by August 2018 and once again being at the centre of community life in the west of the city.

The park will see restoration of the walled garden with new herbaceous borders, planting schemes and refurbishment of the winter garden. The original bandstand will be re-instated and a new cafe and public toilet facilities will be built. There will be improvements across the whole park including a new viewpoint at the Water of Leith, and the funding will also help towards repairs to and installation of furniture, lighting and pathways. An exciting programme of events and activities will be developed which are aimed at a wider range of park users and offer volunteer and learning opportunities for all to enjoy.

Following the announcement of funding, detailed design work will start immediately with construction works starting next year. It is anticipated that the newly restored park will be fully opened by August 2018.

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