Parks for People

That the Parliament welcomes the publication of the report, Parks for People: why should we invest in parks?, which was published by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Community Fund, whose Parks for People programme funded the revitalisation of historic parks and cemeteries; celebrates that, since 2006, the programme has contributed £254 million to 135 projects across the UK; understands that the report is an evaluation of the programme and provides clear evidence for the value of investing in parks, highlighting the multiple social benefits that can be achieved by investing in public parks, as well as the people who bring those parks to life; notes that Saughton Park is one of the six case studies highlighted in the report; recognises that the park covers more than 14 hectares and has been an important space for Edinburgh since at least 1639, when it was the site of Saughtonhall House, a substantial family home; notes that, after the house was leased out to become an asylum in the early nineteenth century, the surrounding land was eventually bought to become a public park, including a walled garden, which was opened in June 1905; is pleased that the report highlights the park's use in bringing communities together as Edinburgh welcomed Syrian refugees in 2015, supported by the The Welcoming Association; praises the work of Friends of Saughton Park, which was formed in 2014 with just seven members; recognises that, today, there are 400 members, of whom more than 30 are actively involved in the group and the activities it puts on; understands that, in a survey of park users, 78% of respondents were very satisfied with the park overall, 92% felt it had improved over the last 10 years, and 77% were using the park more or significantly more; welcomes the £4.2 million invested into Saughton Park by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and encourages everyone to make use of, visit and volunteer in their local parks.