Coalie Park Update for Funders and Supporters

The last six months has seen huge progress towards the delivery of the Coalie Park Improvement Plan. The Water of Leith Conservation Trust launched the plan in January 2022 following a period of community engagement and a series of design and planning sessions. Since, many individuals and organisations have pledged to  support the delivery of this plan and we are delighted to provide this report as to the impact this has already had to the space, its wildlife and the local community and what exciting developments are planned for the next six months.

Biomatrix Platform installation

May 2023 saw the installation of Edinburgh’s first Biomatrix floating habitats in the river just downstream from 
Great Junction Street Bridge. This is the first element of our Coalie Park Improvement Project to go ahead. New 
habitat in the river was top of the ‘wish list’ during the community engagement phase so we were delighted to 
install these innovative platforms first. They are already providing much needed new habitat in the area above and 
below the water and they seem to be a hit with the ducks, cygnets, heron, moorhens and goosanders in Leith. 
Somewhere safe to rest and breed is vital for birdlife. However it is hoped these platforms will do more than 
provide a safe refuge for birds and fish, we hope it will also help to improve water quality.

Monthly clean-up and path work sessions

The first Wednesday of each month has become a clean-up and practical workday at Coalie Park for our volunteer team. Each week the team have been out cleaning up the park and river space (using a small flat bottomed boat).  Sadly each month many bags of litter are removed from the space and we work to tame to vegetation so the park does not look neglected and unloved. 

The most popular design objective for the project was to bring the vegetation into active, positive management for biodiversity, and for a sense of safety and placemaking, so it has been an important way to start all park works. We have also planted over 1000 wildflower plugs and bulbs which should all pop up next springtime.

To watch a video and see all the plans for this exciting project visit our dedicated webpage:https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/coalie-park-project/

or contact Helen Brown – helen.brown@waterofleith.org.uk
Water of Leith Conservation Trust working for a healthy river cared for by its community – SC000015