Would you like to be a friend of Lochend Park?

Friends of Lochend Park is a recent addition to the Friends groups in the East Neighbourhood.

The group was set up by local residents to combat litter and antisocial behaviour , and to improve the park as a pleasant green space in the city.

Lochend Park and its loch has an interesting history. The loch was rumoured to be bottomless after a cart disappeared into it and was never seen again. The loch once supplied Leith with fresh water, redirected by the Pumphouse, but is now an overgrown wildlife haven which the Friends group hope to enhance.

There are many ways to get involved over the coming months – from setting up the group, biodiversity planning, researching local history, designing posters, writing articles and fundraising to creating events, organising clean-ups and planting wildlife habitats. The group also organised a litter pick on 15 March.

“We’re drawing some information together for new notice boards within the park,” said the convener of the group, Ailsa Laing. “We’re also trying to gain some expert opinion on the seven large willow trees that are earmarked for felling this year, in the hope they can be saved,” she added.

Need to know

Friends of Lochend Park need people of all ages and abilities to help on many different levels. If you can spare some of your time and would like to make a difference to your local park, please e-mail lochendpark@yahoo.com