Home
LATEST NEWS : August 2008
Downpour Floods Park
On Wednesday 6th/Thursday 7th August, Edinburgh received more than a month’s worth of rain. The Braidburn Valley Park took its fair share of the downpour. During the night, the burn burst its banks in a couple of places, dumping water, rubbish and mud on the paths, banks and grass. Between the Oxgangs and middle bridge, a new spring welled up under the tarmac on the main path and cracked it. The path now has a slightly loose surface. This will be repaired when a new tarmac path through the new cherry trees is installed. Fortunately, there appears to have been no other structural damage. In the Braidburn Flood Prevention Plan, the park is a designated flooding area, so it has certainly lived up to this!
Braidburn Valley Park wins its Second Green Flag
National judges have awarded Braidburn Valley Park its second, prestigious Green Flag Award. 
They particularly liked the amount of community involvement in the park. The flag was collected at a ceremony in Liverpool by Lindsay Walls on behalf of the Friends. Unfortunately, last year’s flag was stolen from the flagpole in mid-July. Methods of deterring future thefts are being considered before the new flag is hoisted.
“Afternoon Tea in the Park” : Braidburn Valley Park Summer Event
The Friends’ annual summer event will take place on Saturday 6th September, 2 - 4.30pm. The special feature will be Te POOKA theatre company, who use circus skills as part of their performance. There will also be all the usual favourites - Duck Race, raft building, highland dancers, willow weaving, RSPB bug home building, face painting, Beat the Goalie, refreshments……and more! If anyone would like to volunteer their help, please get in touch through info@braidburvalleypark.org.uk or 07868 651960
Duke of Edinburgh Volunteers
The four Duke of Edinburgh Award volunteers will continue a programme of improvements to the park. After clearing vegetation from the park entrances at Pentland Terrace and Comiston Springs Avenue, they will be removing tree stakes and weeding the new trees planted by Primary 7 of South Morningside Primary in April. If you have any suggestions for improvements, please contact info@braidburnvalleypark.org.u
Beautiful Scotland Judging - 12th August
Volunteers from the Friends will also be weeding the ornamental flower bed at the main park entrance on Greenbank Crescent. This is in preparation for the judging of Edinburgh’s entry to the Beautiful Scotland competition. Judges will visit the park on 12th August and will especially focus on what the Friends have been doing to help nature in the park.
Edinburgh Parks and Gardens Survey
We want to know what you think about your local park or greenspace in Edinburgh. Is it a wildlife haven or a waste ground? Do you love it or loathe it? Is it litter-strewn or is it litter free? To have your say go to www.edinburgh.gov.uk/parksurvey
Introduction
Braidburn Valley Park has been a public park since 1933. It is located in South Edinburgh in the Morningside/Oxgangs area. The Park is a steep grassy valley cut in two by the Braid Burn which flows north from the Pentland Hills to the Firth of Forth.
The Park covers 11 hectares making it the fourth biggest Community Park in Edinburgh. In 2007, it was awarded Scotland’s first Green Flag for excellence in parks. The Park is open to the public 24 hours a day. It is popular for dog walking, informal sports and relaxing – whether it is playing hide and seek, or seeing cherry blossom from the top of a passing bus.
History
The Park has a wealth of local history. On its western boundary is Fly Walk – the route that Robert Louis Stevenson followed when travelling between his home in Swanston and the city of Edinburgh. In 1935, 5,000 Girl Guides planted cherry trees in a trefoil shape to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. A grassy amphitheatre and stage has hosted many outdoor performances.
Wildlife
The Park is also home to an increasing range of wildlife. Local children have created a wildflower meadow to attract more insects and birds. A heron, bats, foxes and even a shy otter make their home in the Park. The burn is clean enough for small trout. The Park has been designated a Local Biodiversity Site reflecting its importance for nature.
The Friends of Braidburn Valley Park was formed in 2002 to give local people the opportunity to have their say in how the Park would be managed and developed. The Friends work in partnership with Edinburgh Council and others to increase people’s use of the Park, as well as its amenity and importance for wildlife.
