Saughton Park is one of Edinburgh’s six ‘Premier Parks’ and the largest & most significant park in the west of the city.
Created during the Victorian era, the Park is of high heritage value however its Gardens had more recently fallen into disrepair & were impacted by anti-social behaviour & dereliction issues. Following extensive consultation & successful funding bids a masterplan was developed to restore key historic features, improve biodiversity, enhance accessibility & provide new community/ visitor facilities.
Conservation has been at the heart of this commission and formed an integral part of the successful funding application process. Sensitive garden and building restoration considering design value, special qualities & interpretation/ reintroduction of lost elements & restored artefacts and heritage value have had primacy, embedding understanding of heritage, context, place quality, visitor experience, participation, maintenance/ management in the future use/ development and activities of the Park.
Saughton Park's Revitalisation
The Masterplan’s overarching principles were established at an early stage. Saughton Park’s Revitalisation would need to consolidate heritage features and enhance facilities as much as practicable in order to build the site as a ‘destination’ Premier Park whilst minimising its staffing burden.
Now complete, the scheme has demonstrated strong positive outcomes for city & community. Specific focus has been on public engagement, participation & co-design, heritage value, health & wellbeing, inclusivity, active lifestyles & sustainability.
Saughton Park as a restored civic space has firmly establish itself as a place of beauty, harmony & inspiration in the hearts of all people who visit. This can only be described as a positive civic contribution & one which will endure.
Project Role
Masterplanning; Engagement; Funding Bids; Landscape Architecture; Design, Procurement and Implementation.
For more information please contact: Gillian Smith click here to email Gillian
