There’s been good and bad news for Edinburgh parks recently.

The good news is Edinburgh has won a record twenty Green Flag awards for its parks and green spaces. Read the The Edinburgh Reporter’s report on the story by clicking here.

And in more good news, last week The Scotsman reported on the city council’s plans to upgrade the quality of 28 different children’s public playparks over the next five years. Work, due to begin shortly, includes an £180,000 investment in Saughton Park, where an adventure trail, swing zone and chill zone are to be built. Upgrades are also scheduled for the public parks at Northfield Community Centre and West Pilton.

However the bad news is the Council plans to gradually phase out seven playgrounds over the next few years. The decision has been been made to close some faciltities that are in desperate need of investment, rather than upgrade them, as the Council feels there are good alternative facilities. Playparks earmarked for closure in the next five years include Pilrig Park in Balfour Street, Brown Street at Pleasance and Baillie Place, off Milton Road.

And it’s not only children’s playparks that are at risk. There’s an active ‘Save Inverleith Park’ campaign aiming to prevent public parkland being sold off for development and Craigmillar residents are fighting to save Cairntows Park.

But here’s your chance to tell the Council what YOU think about your local park – Is it a wildlife haven or a waste ground? Is it clean and tidy or strewn with litter? Is your park well lit at night? What improvements would you like to see? Is your children’s playpark due for closure?

The Council is keen to hear your opinions and you can give them your feedback by completing their Parks & Greenspace Survey. More information here.

Click here to download and complete the Edinburgh Council Parks & Greenspace Survey.