Community Greenspace in Hutchison
Edible Estates have been asked by Edinburgh Council to work with the residents of Hutchison, (an estate in the SW of Edinburgh), to identify ways in which greenspaces in the neighbourhood could be improved with the support of the community and the Council. The project started in January 2019 and will continue on into 2020.
During 2019, we ran a series of community consultations that highlighted the interests of the residents e.g. community growing, nature and relaxation, and identified locations which could be improved. We hope to take these ideas forward in 2020. We will also run a series of community greenspace workshops including a grow your own course through the year. See further information about the study below.
The next event will be February 2020. If you want to be kept informed about the study and upcoming events be sure to email greig@edibleestates.co.uk, or Text 0781 729 2464.
Community Greenspace Reports
We have prepared several reports to provide a basis for identifying potential community greenspace projects for Hutchison. We will update the reports as the study continues, and compile them into a final report later in 2020.
– Hutchison Community Survey Report 1.1
– Hutchison Greenspace Survey Report 1.1
– Hutchison Greenspace Interventions Report 1.1
Potential Community Garden Sites
There are several sites in Hutchison which are suitable for the development of a community garden, we have presented two in the animation below. Please Note: we would propose the development of one of these sites as a Neighbourhood Garden, not both, and before a project could go ahead we would need the support of the wider community and particularly the households that live around the site.
The designs are just to show what the garden might look like, if we were to go ahead with one of the sites we would prepare a more detailed design looking at the location of the community shed, the nature and layout of the beds etc. It would be very important to us that the site would be beautiful with flowing paths rather than the straight ones indicated.
The layout includes: the pre-existing path into the site which would allow the participation of growers from across Hutchison; a large community shed which would support the garden but also community greenspace initiatives across Hutchison, and provide a location for other community activities; up to forty raised beds which could be managed individually by growers, or as a group; a community orchard around the perimeter. The fence around the site would be renovated with gates installed so that households living around the site could access it directly. Edible Estates have developed gardens in similar sites at Magdalene and Lochend.
Hutchison Circle Pocket Park
The animation below introduces a possible renovation of the circle at Hutchison Place to create a pocket park. The existing railings which bisect the park would be removed and new swing gates installed. A path and wildflower area could also be added along the perimeter of the space. The community may want to hold events there in the warmer months and a marquee could be erected.
Community Participative Design Exercise
On the 26th January 2019, Edible Estates were invited by Cllr Gavin Corbett to deliver a short community participative design exercise with residents of Hutchison. Twenty residents attended the event.
The exercise drew out valuable information of the priorities, concerns and dreams of local residents with regards to the management of local greenspace/public realm. It found that there is demand for residents to be involved in the management of greenspace, and interest in creating a Hutchison Community Greenspace Association as a forum for further discussion & development.
The participants were asked about Hutchison : “What You Like?”, “What You Don’t Like?” and “What Would You Like To Have?”. The summarised findings are shown below.
Top 5 Things We Like
1 – Tree Lined Streets
2 – Lots of Greenspaces
3 – Wildlife / Birds
4 – Sense of Community
5 – Fresh Air
Top 5 Things We Don’t Like
1 – Dog Fouling
2 – Litter
3 – Lack of benches / picnic tables
4 – Not enough biodiversity
5 – Seadecking / Tarmacing
Top Ten Ideas To Improve Hutchison Greenspace / Public Realm
1 – A Community Garden
2 – Opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables.
3 – Improvements to greenspace around Cycle Path
4 – Area set aside for dog walkers (with high fence and poo bins)
5 – Greater biodiversity / wildlife (specific locations highlighted)
6 – Community Days (litter picking)
7 – Fenced greenspace opened up
8 – Community Cafe / Shop
9 – Community composting facilities
10 – More seating / picnic tables for rest and relaxation
