Edinburgh’s Bowling Alleys to Be Revamped as Allotments and Community GardensEdinburgh’s Bowling Alleys to Be Revamped as Allotments and Community Gardens Amidst a shortage of growing space in Edinburgh, the city’s bowling alleys are being transformed into allotments and community gardens. This initiative seeks to address the need for accessible urban green spaces and foster communal experiences. Following the return of two underused grass pitches to the council by Edinburgh Leisure, plans are underway to revitalize Victoria Park and St Margaret’s Park. Public consultations have revealed overwhelming support for redesigns that incorporate new planting areas, social meeting places, and sensory gardens. With over 6,000 people on the waiting list for an allotment from Edinburgh City Council, the addition of these new spaces will significantly reduce the current wait time of around 50 years. A survey conducted in Corstorphine’s St Margaret’s Park bowling green revealed strong demand for urban growth areas, natural play spaces, gardens, and wildlife-friendly interventions. Similarly, the redevelopment of Leith Park’s bowling alley will include a communal growing area, a multi-purpose meeting space with sensory planting, and flood control ditches. Plans for the Victoria Park bowling green focus on creating allotments for local residents to cultivate their own produce. However, respondents stressed the importance of balancing individual growing areas with community gardens to promote inclusivity. The next steps involve developing detailed designs and submitting permit applications for the change of use. A financing plan will be established, utilizing a combination of external grant funding, repayable funding, and municipal allocations. The council is also exploring the possibility of converting two other unused green spaces, at Prestonfield and Regent Road, into allotment areas. These spaces, once the heart of Edinburgh’s social gatherings and friendly competitions, are now being repurposed to meet the evolving needs of the community. From serene green spaces for relaxation to modern pavilions hosting community events and educational programs, the potential of these revitalized bowling alleys is boundless. The team is eager to embark on this journey of renewal, ensuring that Edinburgh’s bowling greens remain an integral part of the city’s social fabric.
Edinburgh’s bowling alleys are being transformed into allotments and community gardens as the city faces a shortage of growing space.
This came after Edinburgh Leisure returned two grass pitches to the council because they were underused.
With the public now involved in the redevelopment of spaces in Victoria Park and St Margaret’s Park, plans are being drawn up to ‘breathe new life into these historically significant spaces’.
The survey results showed “strong support” for the proposed redesigns, which, in addition to new space for planting fruit and vegetables, also include social meeting places and sensory gardens.
There are over 6,000 people on the waiting list for an allocation of an allotment from Edinburgh City Council, with the current expected wait time being around 50 years.
A consultation into how Corstorphine’s St Margaret’s Park bowling green should be used found that the most popular ideas were introducing ‘urban growth areas, natural play space, a garden and wildlife-friendly interventions’.
A separate engagement process at the derelict Victoria Park bowling green was met with support for the creation of allotments so that local people can “grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers”. However, respondents said that individual growing areas “need to be balanced with community gardens to benefit a wider range of residents and ensure inclusivity”.
The refurbishment of the Leith Park bowling alley could also see the pavilion converted into a café, public toilets and community space. The proposals for the space have been updated to include a communal growing area, a multi-purpose meeting space with sensory planting, seating and flood control ditches.
The next steps are to develop more detailed designs for the bowling alleys and submit permit applications to change their use.
A report said: “A financing plan will be developed and collaboration with local stakeholders will continue throughout the process.
“High level cost estimates have been developed for the plan, with a mix of external grant funding, repayable funding and municipal budget allocations expected to fund the project.”
Meanwhile, the council is investigating whether two other unused green spaces could be included in the initiative: at Prestonfield and Regent Road.
It says bowling alleys “have held a special place at the heart of Edinburgh’s communities for generations”.
“They are centres for social gatherings, friendly competition and a reflection of the city’s rich heritage.
“As we look to the future, we see these spaces changing to meet the needs of our current population and planet. We strive to create spaces that welcome people of all ages and interests.
“From renovated green spaces for relaxed play on sunny afternoons to modern pavilions hosting community events and educational programs, the potential of these spaces is as great as the history they house.
“Our team is excited to embark on this journey of renewal and ensure Edinburgh’s Bowling Greens once again becomes an integral part of the social fabric of our city.”
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