Open Space Improvement Fund

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 29 May 2010, 11:47

I've travelled all the way from Port Bou to Alicante, several times. Even in the major cities they have simple floodlighting on parts of the beaches. Allowing people to enjoy the space after dark, Enough light to kick a ball around or whatever.

The lights would switch off around 11pm and I can't see the cost being more than £10k - £20k. Incredible value for money.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 30 May 2010, 11:51

I've been to Portstewart in NI a couple of times, and down by the prom/seafront they have a series of fountains set into the pavement, timed to vary in height/rhythm etc. In the summer kids spend hours just running through them.

I'd like that on a wide bit of the prom.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 30 May 2010, 12:35

Like the sound of both of those suggestions, but especially Seanie's suggestion of an interactive water feature

The one featured even gives the cost, £88k.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 30 May 2010, 12:48

Both nice decorative touches but I would like to see at least some of the money spent on addressing the 30 criteria that are required to attain the Seaside Award for Portobello beach.

I will link to this on the appropriate thread.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 31 May 2010, 18:40

I think I will be going for an improvement of the dog poo park at the Cake Stand. Maybe summat for the young uns like a basketball thingy.

What about a kiddies playpark at the triangle at the end of Stanley Street.

Not much for young kiddies up there.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 31 May 2010, 21:51

I asked about this fund at the meeting at Porty High School this evening. Some, at least, of this money will be used to formalise and upgrade paths in Portobello Park itself. In theory, the rest could be used anywhere within the Portobello area to improve the quality of open space, so prepare your bids!

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 01 Jun 2010, 00:24

I understand why our focus is on Portobello. But the pitch area of Portobello Park, in all honesty, is not a significant feature in the recreational life of most of Portobello. It might be worthwhile considering the catchment as a whole, and what could be improved to most benefit.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 01 Jun 2010, 11:27

What have the Community Council suggested?

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 01 Jun 2010, 19:18

I'm don't think they've suggested anything yet.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 01 Jun 2010, 20:09

How about an electrified fence for the tennis courts

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 01 Jun 2010, 20:31

How about one between Portobello and Craigmillar....

westbank · Post by **westbank** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:01

Seanie
I have never seen such an A****ole answer to any subject on this site, i come from the other side of your electric fence, i am here as a missionary to teach you how to read and write. Get a life sunshine.
This is a pretty good site but these comments should be ignored by so called comics.
Is that your answer to bringing all areas together.
Sorry if I upset a few people but this guy has got right up my nose big time. Dont care if its removed but will probably not be back.

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:07

I wasn't suggesting an electric fence between Portobello and Craigmillar.

I was suggesting, tounge in cheek, that the Portobello Community Council might suggest it.

Since the formation of the Neighbourhood Partnership there have been some on the PCC that have repeatedly expressed disapproval that the two areas have been joined together.

westbank · Post by **westbank** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:26

I call that snobbery ?????????????

seanie · Post by **seanie** » 01 Jun 2010, 22:34

Quite possibly.

At one point, I seem to recall a comment along the lines of "why couldn't we have been twinned with Morningside?"

But I couldn't say how prevalent a view that is in the PCC as a whole. However there is a definite tendency to focus just on Portobello. Craigmillar Community Council invited Portobello Community Councillors to a get together a couple of years ago, to discuss joint working/common interests etc. and only two turned up.

Personally I'd like to see a lot more working together between the areas but, as things stand at the moment, it's probably not realistic.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 02 Jun 2010, 20:34

Oh dear, seems like a couple of insider jokes went wrong. Still, I can assure you Seanie was actually one of the few who made the effort to go to Craigmillar to visit his colleagues.

I wasn't keen on the twinning arrangement as it sort of went through without much going past the community, but what annoyed me was the change in election systems in general along with the amalgamation of wards and the three Councillors for one scenario. All in all the rest is not an issue for me. My issues are with the PCC.

Personally, I have acquaintances on both sides (although to me it's not sides anyway) but many at the PCC would not know where Craigmillar etc. was and are not interested. View the letter on the open space debate from the PCC regarding natural boundaries.

As for electrifying the tennis court fence, another "insider" joke to be explained in a less public environment. Sorry you took offence Westbank.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 02 Jun 2010, 20:40

Back to reality. If there was an improvement proposed near the cake stand what would people go for and what would the local residents accept.

Seem to remember suggesting a skate board thing at the old paddling pool site which was not well recieved.

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 02 Jun 2010, 21:00

I and others did the 'Planning for Real' exercise way way back for the paddling pool site and I drew up a nice proposal for the site which combined what the 'residents' wanted from that meeting- it involved a part basketball practice area, a kiosk area and a seaside garden. Somehow it got 'Cooncilfied' as I like to call it and ended up as it is. A pretty staid, 'safe' and altogether boring design. Money most probably the issue, too long ago to recall all the details.

A complete redesign of the cake stand park is needed in my view - its pretty awful. However it should not follow the same route of get the community to design it for free, pick out the cheapest bits of the scheme and then do something roughly resembling that. A recipe for unloved public spaces which don't get utlised in the most effective way or cared for. The only part that is really used is the play park side, informal sand pit and grass for footy. The other side - is still a dog loo and no one plays there.

On a more positive note - I love water features - especially 'surprise' fountains in hard landscaped areas - such fun for everyone and always popular.

Post by **wangi** » 02 Jun 2010, 22:33

Puerto bella wrote:I love water features

Normally I'm not fussed; but this reminded of me of a water feature which was really great:

Other photos, inc daylight view: http://www.pbase.com/wangi/wildflower_fountain_fun

But how would something like that work in cold Scotland... ?

Porty wrote:Even in the major cities they have simple floodlighting on parts of the beaches. Allowing people to enjoy the space after dark, Enough light to kick a ball around or whatever.

Initially I thought this was a great idea; but thinking a bit more - in the summer it's light well late anyway and in the winter it's too bloody cold to be sitting around the beach!

L/

Puerto bella · Post by **Puerto bella** » 02 Jun 2010, 23:15

Good points but try looking at some of the writing and observations of Jan Gehl a renowned Danish urbanist/ designer/ place maker. Climate is one consideration but why then is outdoor life in public spaces so important to our Nordic neighbours? The key reason is the opportunities they have created to observe others - this is the one of the fundamental reason why people enjoy public spaces/ places. They do it well in Denmark, Sweden etc. We can learn from them.

StarVanMan · Post by **StarVanMan** » 02 Jun 2010, 23:17

Pleased to se your well-reasoned re-think Wangi.

The beach provides probably the best, safest and most accessible views of dark, star-filled skies in the whole of Edinburgh - looking north anyway.

Post by **wangi** » 02 Jun 2010, 23:23

Okay; so lights would have to come along with hot tubs and a sauna too. Sorted

StarVanMan - except when Mossmoran is flaring...

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 03 Jun 2010, 12:01

I think that the cake stand area would be ideal for a skateboard/BMX park. It is a great location for the kids, particularly with its' proximity to the beach.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 03 Jun 2010, 12:37

Don't know what happened at the paddling pool site but always thought it was as much about who was not wanted as it was about what it become.

In other words, no young people please.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 03 Jun 2010, 15:09

wangi wrote:Okay; so lights would have to come along with hot tubs and a sauna too. Sorted

StarVanMan - except when Mossmoran is flaring...

I'm talking about maybe 2 sections totalling 150 metres of beach being illuminated and not too brightly. One of the reasons kids and youths don't play outside in the winter is the darkness. Same applies to parks.

allaboardtheskylark · Post by **allaboardtheskylark** » 04 Jun 2010, 00:26

Dont think we should let the weather put the youngsters off.

I remember swimming in the open air pool at Easter with the rain pouring down and the Arctic wind whipping in from the North Sea before walking up Kings Road with me Mam's loaf of Hovis.

SoupDragon · Post by **SoupDragon** » 11 Jun 2010, 19:49

How about spending some on improving disabled access to the beach?

I cant see lighting the beach helping much, we all manage at midnight on Hogmanay without it.
It was also irritate MrSoupy, another astronomer
Maybe better lighting in the parks in the winter but does the improvement fund allow for running costs?
By the way I love the walkway in the Figgate, could we have something simialr out into the sea along one of the groynes?
I've seen lighting on beaches in Greece but they do have a tradition af kids being up later at night due to "siesta time", also it tends to be familys out walking later at night. Another thing is they dont get the difference in tides in the Med that we get here

I'd suggest shelters for those downpours like we had last Saturday, there used to be a few along the Prom years ago, but no longer, maybe they were a hanging out place for the neds ( they do seem to find the Prom toilet fascinating )

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 12 Jun 2010, 02:41

Can we shake on lit shelters?