The Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park has been awarded £556 from the Cameron Toll Community Fund to support improvements to the park’s community orchards.
The local group works to promote conservation and community engagement across the 2.4 mile park, which stretches between Gilmerton Road and Burdiehouse Road. Through regular volunteering days and activities with local schools, Scouts, Cubs and community groups, volunteers help care for the park while encouraging people of all ages to connect with nature and their local environment.
The funding will be used to improve soil conditions around existing apple trees and plant five new plum trees within the park’s orchards. The project will help create healthier growing conditions, expand opportunities for community involvement and increase the amount of fruit available for local people to harvest and enjoy.
Karen Sales, Chair of Friends of Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park said: “Our orchards are a valuable community resource, bringing people together through planting, caring for and harvesting fruit. This funding will help us improve the health of existing trees and expand the orchard with new plum trees, creating lasting benefits for both the local environment and the people who enjoy the park.”
Claire Jefcote, Centre Manager at Cameron Toll, said: “We’re delighted to support this project and the dedicated volunteers who work so hard to care for Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park. The orchard improvements will help enhance a much-loved community space, encourage greater engagement with nature and create opportunities for local people to enjoy the benefits of the park for years to come.”