Work underway on the wetland zone in Hailes Quarry Park
Work to transform an underused part of Hailes Quarry Park by creating an attractive wetland habitat area has got underway this month.
A badly-drained section of the park has long been a problem and Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust together with the park steering group have come up with a solution – to transform the site into a brand-new wetland area to become home to wetland plants and wildlife. The problem dates back to the park’s days as a quarry which closed due to flooding before being filled in, capped in clay and then turned into a park. This area is still the lowest point of the park, floods regularly and is damp and boggy for most of the year, making it out of bounds for park users and difficult to mow and look after.
Over the next few months there is to be a concerted programme of planting a range of wetland plant species to create a brand-new habitat which will be a new exciting park feature, and which, once established will be home to birds and even amphibians. With the park being next to the Union Canal, the new wetland area will be a valuable part of the green corridor either side of the tow path and the canal’s banks.
Contractors have prepared the ground (and already birds are flocking in), and the next stage is to plant the plants and bushes that will complete the wetland, turning it into a valuable wildlife and biodiversity area.
You can help
To kick start the project, there are two community planting days – please come along and take part in creating the new habitat (gloves and tools provided – remember to wear wellies and waterproofs).
Wednesday 24 February 2016, 2.00-4.00pm and Thursday 3 March 2016, 2.30-4.30pm
Meet at the start time at the play park by the entrance off Dumbryden Road, or find us hard at work in the park if you arrive later. ELGT and the park steering group are also looking for a name for the habitat so if you have any good suggestions make sure you send them in to abby@elgt.org.
In the weeks that follow, teams and groups from local schools, clubs and other organisations will all be pitching in – if you would like to get involved, please contact abby@elgt.org.
