Introduction
What makes a playing place?
Inspiring/Informative playing places
Kippen Skate Park
Gorgie/Dalry Community Park
Mugdock Country Park
The Yard
Giffnock Primary School
Garnethill Community Park
Balornock East Youth Centre
The Spire Park
Conclusion
References & Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
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Where is it? What's it like? What's the story?

Gorgie/Dalry Community Park is a good example of the power of local people to firstly save their park and then to go on to improve it, and to make use of it.
Where is it?
Dalry Community Park is slotted between the West Approach Road, and Dalry Road on the west side of Edinburgh's City Centre.
What's it like?
The park is an interesting mixture of play and wild areas. Its setting between two major access routes through the City is unique, and in some parts of the park it feels a bit like the countryside. There is a fenced play area with equipment in a sand surface and gates and dog grids. (these are supposed to deny access to dogs but some of the local dogs seem to have worked out a way in). There is also a separate fenced bitmac surface with faint football markings. There are two formal planted beds, a wide bitmac path and a number of informal paths. The edges of the site are naturalised with native trees and shrubs in grass and narrow unsurfaced paths. The grass is strimmed once a year.
What's the story?

The park is a precious slice of open space in a densely built up area and the community has had to fight to keep it. The park was defended at a public inquiry in 1999 when a proposal for a Superstore and Car Park was submitted to the Council. The Park was saved because of the lack of open space in the area, and because of its biodiversity. It is well used by people walking dogs, as a short cut, and for the kickabout area.
The park subcommittee of the Community Council is proactive now in park improvements.

The sub committee includes the Chair of the Community Council, a member of the Council Land Services, members of the Dalry Youth Forum, the Community Policeman, and other interested people. Specialists like the City Council Play Officer and members of BTCV (British Trust for Conservation Volunteers) are invited in to give advice on specific issues.

At the Spring Event in April, there was a park clean up supported by the Council and volunteers from BTCV, and the launch of a booklet called The Wildlife of Dalry Community Park. People took part in building bird and bat boxes for the park, a wildlife walk with Bob Saville (a local expert who produced the booklet), digging over and planting the shrub beds, a beat the goalie competition, and face painting. (The janitor from Dalry Primary School, a new member of the committee, brought temporary goal posts for the event. The chairperson of the Community Council brought flasks of hot water for tea and coffee).

The committee have begun to develop proposals for improvements to the park, and will seek funding.