Open Space Improvement Fund

[Porty]

[seanie]

[Maria]

Like the sound of both of those suggestions, but especially Seanie's suggestion of

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

[Bob Jefferson]

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]

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]

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]

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]

What have the Community Council suggested?

[seanie]

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

[allaboardtheskylark]

How about an electrified fence for the tennis courts

[seanie]

How about one between Portobello and Craigmillar....

[westbank]

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]

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]

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

[seanie]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[wangi]

[Puerto bella]

[StarVanMan]

[wangi]

[Pal of Porty]

[allaboardtheskylark]

[Porty]

[allaboardtheskylark]

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]

[Porty]