Last updated: June 2024
Hailes Quarry Park (HQP) is a large open space in the south-west of Edinburgh. It covers an area of 12.15ha. HQP was a very boggy area in the centre of the park which was effectively out of use. A project was planned which aimed to make environmental improvements and engage the local community and encourage healthy living. One of the main features of the park’s recent development is the creation of a wetland area with a range of wetland plant species. This new habitat will be home to birds, amphibians and native wetland plants, and will be a part of the green corridor. Additionally, a Biodiversity enhancement project was carried out at the site (ref 1, 7).
Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace and Trust
Available at: http://www.elgt.org.uk/projects/greenspace-improvements/hailes-quarry-park/. Accessed on 29th August, 2020.
Overview
Nature-based solution
- Blue infrastructure
- In-land wetlands, peatlands, swamps, and moors
- Parks and urban forests
- Large urban parks or forests
Key challenges
- Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
- Habitat and biodiversity restoration
- Habitat and biodiversity conservation
- Green space creation and/or management
- Regeneration, land-use and urban development
- Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
- Water management (SDG 6)
- Flood protection
- Improvements to water quality
- Health and well-being (SDG 3)
- Enabling opportunities for physical activity
- Improving mental health
- Improving physical health
- Creation of opportunities for recreation
Focus
Creation of new green areas, Management and improved protection of rivers and other blue areas, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Transformation of previously derelict areas
Project objectives
The aims of the project were both environmental and social:
1. Increased biodiversity through a greater mix of species;
2. Improved visual aspects and attractive features of the park;
3. Increased involvement of the community in the park activities.
-The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and local community groups are to plant a variety of native wetland plants, including some rare species, which thrive in wetland conditions. A brand-new habitat will become home to birds, amphibians and a host of native wetland plants. Overall, the new wetland will be a deliverable to the Edinburgh Living Landscape project (ref 1, 2, 5).
- By improving the horticultural value of the park, the area could make a positive impact on both the local and wider landscape whilst offering more in green space and social value (reference 3).
Implementation activities
1. Key feature was the creation of a wetland area.
2. A plan was made to introduce wetland species to increase its attractiveness, encourage positive use and contribute to biodiversity. Environments for biodiversity have been incorporated (planting of a wildflower meadow and special grass-cutting system along the canal).
3. Volunteer groups helped plant a large number of wetland plug plants and sow a wetland seed mix for the Biodiversity enhancements project.
4. Existing street lights have now been formally adopted by the local authority and now maintained to a good standard
5. Bins have been installed – separate bins for dog mess are not required as the local authority has the policy of using the same bins for litter and dog mess
6. The play area has been installed
7. Woodland planting and bulb planting has been undertaken
8. Seating has been installed
9. 5-a-side football goal posts have been installed
10. Entrance signage has been installed (ref 1, 4, 7).
Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities
Biodiversity conservation:
- Protect and enhance urban habitats
- Preserve and strengthen existing habitats and ecosystems
- Create new habitats
- Preserve and strengthen habitat connectivity
- Reduce negative impacts and avoid the alteration/damage of ecosystem
- Protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect species
- Undertake specific measures to protect native species
- Means for conservation governance
- Biodiversity offsets
- Public engagement
Biodiversity restoration:
- Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
- Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)
- Restore native species
Main beneficiaries
- Local government/Municipality
- Non-government organisation/Civil Society
- Citizens or community groups
Governance
Management set-up
- Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Type of initiating organisation
- Local government/municipality
- Private foundation/trust
Participatory approaches/ community involvement
- Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project
Hailes Quarry Park was the result of a series of partnerships, first an international collaboration between 2 non-profit organisations, Greenspace Scotland and Project for Public Spaces. This partnership was supported by the Scottish Centre for Regeneration, Inverclyde Council and the City of Edinburgh Council. The Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (an independent charity), was invited to lead the project. (ref 5)
Project implemented in response to ...
... an EU policy or strategy?
Unknown
... a national policy or strategy?
Yes
(Environmental policy for the Scottish parliament: environmental justice is a component of this policy and the 'provision of greenspace in deprived areas' is mentioned in relation to this project. Also, the Land Reform Act for Scotland 2003. It required to prepare a Core Paths Plan. The plan identifies and promotes a system of priority routes across the city that provides assured and welcoming access for walking, cycling and horse riding. The Union Canal as it passes adjacent to Hailes Quarry Park is one of Edinburgh’s Core Paths. This highlights the importance of the towpath, not only for those enjoying the Park, but also for people passing into the City Centre and for active family travel. (ref 5, 8))
... a local policy or strategy?
Yes
(Single Outcome Agreements are agreements between the Scottish Government and each council in Scotland, involving City of Edinburgh Council (ref 5))
Financing
Total cost
€10,000 - €50,000
Source(s) of funding
- Public local authority budget
- Private Foundation/Trust
Type of funding
- Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)
Non-financial contribution
Unknown
Impacts and Monitoring
Environmental impacts
- Climate change
- Strengthened capacity to address climate hazards/natural disasters
- Water management and blue areas
- Improved water quality
- Increased protection against flooding
- Enhanced protection and restoration of freshwater ecosystems
- Green space and habitat
- Promotion of naturalistic styles of landscape design for urban development
- Increased conservation or restoration of ecosystems
- Reduced biodiversity loss
- Restoration of derelict areas
Economic impacts
- Unknown
Socio-cultural impacts
- Social justice and cohesion
- Improved access to urban green space
- Health and wellbeing
- Improved mental health
- Improved physical health
- Gain in activities for recreation and exercise
- Cultural heritage and sense of place
- Increased appreciation for natural spaces
- Education
- Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
- Increased awareness of NBS and their benefits
- Safety
- Increased perception of safety
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Presence of formal monitoring system
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
No evidence in public records
Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Yes
References
1. Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (no date) Hailes Quarry Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
2. The City of Edinburgh Council (no date) Hailes Quarry Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 29th August, 2020.
3. The here and now (no date) Hailes Quarry Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
4. DIGITAL SENTINEL (2016) New wetland habitat for Hailes Quarry Park. Available at : Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
5. Montarzino A. (2010) Transnational Assessment of Practice. Accessed: Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
6. City of Edinburgh Council. (2010). Hailes Quarry Park Management Plan December 2010 - 2015.
7. Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust. (2015) Project Report 2015-16.
8. City of Edinburgh Council. (2017). Hailes Quarry Park Management Plan December 2017 - 2022. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 29th August, 2020.
2. The City of Edinburgh Council (no date) Hailes Quarry Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 29th August, 2020.
3. The here and now (no date) Hailes Quarry Park. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
4. DIGITAL SENTINEL (2016) New wetland habitat for Hailes Quarry Park. Available at : Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
5. Montarzino A. (2010) Transnational Assessment of Practice. Accessed: Source link. Accessed on 27th August, 2020.
6. City of Edinburgh Council. (2010). Hailes Quarry Park Management Plan December 2010 - 2015.
7. Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust. (2015) Project Report 2015-16.
8. City of Edinburgh Council. (2017). Hailes Quarry Park Management Plan December 2017 - 2022. Available at: Source link. Accessed on 29th August, 2020.