As we begin 2025 and look ahead to the coming year, it is the perfect time to highlight Edinburgh's Starbank Park, a Fields in Trust-protected park that is home to some incredible trees, from the iconic cherry blossoms to the historic sycamore tree. In the spirit of looking forward to new seasons, we want to highlight how the trees we protect - alongside the volunteers who care for them - make this park a truly special place.
The historical roots of Starbank Park
Originally part of Starbank House, which was purchased by the Leith Town Council in the late 19th century, the Starbank park was once a cultivated Victorian garden with rose beds where couples would court while admiring the views. Today, the park’s iconic sycamore tree, planted in 1912 to commemorate the coronation of George V and Queen Mary, still stands proudly as a living testament to the park's rich past.
The trees in Starbank Park, including this historic sycamore play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife – and contributing to a healthier, more sustainable environment. These trees are part of the larger network of protected green spaces that Fields in Trust has worked to protect.
Fields in Trust protection
In 2012, Starbank Park was officially protected in perpetuity by Fields in Trust as part of our Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge. This protection ensures that Starbank Park, along with the trees it hosts, will be preserved for generations to come. With over 2,585 hectares of woodland among the 13,000 hectares of green spaces that Fields in Trust protects across the UK, we are committed to protecting these valuable spaces.
It is important to highlight why these trees are so crucial. Trees not only improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, helping combat climate change, but they also provide critical habitats for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, and regulate water flow. Beyond their environmental benefits, trees are known to improve mental and physical health by providing peaceful spaces for relaxation. Protecting trees like those in Starbank Park are essential for both the environment and the wellbeing of the communities that rely on these spaces.
Volunteering at Starbank Park
At the end of last year, we kicked off our new partnership with Hampden & Co with a volunteering day at Starbank Park. We were fortunate enough to have teamed up with the fabulous Friends of Starbank volunteer Park volunteer group making for a successful day of team building and gardening. To learn more about our new partnership, why not take a look at our recent blog post telling you all about it.
Friends of Starbank Park
Formed in 2013, the mission of the Friends of Starbank Park volunteer group has always been to restore the park to the heart of the community, where it belongs. Taking our group to Starbank was the perfect way to introduce our corporate volunteers to the work we do.
Hampden & Co Marketing Manager said “It was enjoyable and rewarding for the team to see that their efforts were making a visible impact for the benefit of our local community. We look forward to continuing to support Fields in Trust and their valuable work to champion and protect green spaces for future generations. The Friends of Starbank Park were the perfect hosts, blending gardening expertise with warm hospitality (not to mention plenty of tea and biscuits!). During the day, I had the chance to take a grand tour of the park learning about the fascinating story of the park.”
The park has earned numerous accolades including the prestigious “Best Neighbourhood Park” from Horticultural Weekly in 2018, and even has been visited by our very own Patron HRH Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales. The Royal couple were at Starbank for the release of our annual Green Space Index in May 2021. The pair spent their day scattering seeds with nursery school children and meeting a group of teenagers working towards their Duke of Edinburgh award.
The Friends of Starbank Park meets twice a week to keep the park in tip-top shape for the community to enjoy. Highlights of the park’s calendar include family favourite events like the Easter Egg Hunt and the Cherry Blossom Picnic. These are highly anticipated events, gathering crowds of families from the surrounding areas.
Speaking to the chair of the committee on the day, Rhona Else she said "The Friends of Starbank Park really appreciated the volunteering gardening day by a group from Hampden & Co, which was extremely successful. Their enthusiasm and the effort that they put into the gardening tasks were impressive. Everyone enjoyed the day and Starbank Park looked all the better for their hard work.”
As part of our corporate partnerships, we offer bespoke volunteer days in some of our protected parks. It has been wonderful meeting all our lovely volunteers (in rain or shine!) and seeing them get stuck into so many fun filled gardening tasks. I look forward to bringing more volunteers to Rhona and the team in the future.
Volunteer for your local parks’ Friends group
Feeling inspired by the Starbank Park Friends group? If you’d like to get more involved in caring for your local park or green space, joining a local park Friends group is a great way to start. There are countless park Friends groups across the UK, and chances are, there’s one for your local park.
To find out more, check the notice boards in your park for information, or search online and on Facebook to see if there’s an existing group near you. We also have more details on volunteering for your local park, including inspiring stories of how these groups are making a real difference in their communities.
If you're based in Edinburgh and want to get involved, the Friends of Starbank Park would love to welcome you—whether you're an experienced gardener or just getting started. They meet every Wednesday and Saturday from 10:00am to 11:30am. Why not join them and help make a lasting difference?