The Dock – Week 7: The Dream in Motion
We’re halfway through the build, and something amazing has happened. Every single one of the Edinburgh Wheels trainees has landed full-time work. That’s not a setback—that’s success. That’s the dream. It’s why this project exists: to give people a way into real work, with real pay, in the real world.
From Coalie Park to Princes Street, they’ve taken their training and run with it—now working in demolition, insulation, decorating, and more across the city. It’s a proud moment for them, and for us.
But the work here isn’t done. Concrete still needs pouring. Planters are going in—not as an afterthought, but as part of a living, breathing urban space. That’s where the community stepped up. Volunteers—skaters and non-skaters alike—came back again and again to keep the momentum going.
This isn’t a park that was built for a photo op. It’s a space shaped by those who showed up, learned skills, worked hard, and left something lasting behind. You can see it in the line of every joint, every tile in the mosaic, and every drop of rain that runs clean off a properly poured ramp.
Want to be part of it? The build isn’t over—and the door’s still open.
Stay tuned and follow progress https://edinburghwheels.co.uk/blog/
Who is involved?
Driven by Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Edinburgh Wheels Project funding has been secured from The National Lottery, Garfield Weston Foundation, SCAPE Scotland, Longstone Fund (administered by Foundation Scotland), The Leith Community Fund, Robert Barr Foundation, local businesses, and community members.
Working with ODYSSEY SKATEPARKS LTD and Edinburgh Wheels 11 young people got the opportunity to actually build this new facility, receive top quality training and experience to be construction site ready.
We are also delighted to have the support of Balfour Beatty, the principal contractor for phase 1 of the Leith Connections Active Travel project. Under the SCAPE Scotland Civil Engineering Framework, they are required to work with the local community to develop a place-based Social Impact Action Plan (SIAP) that will deliver positive outcomes for the local community and leave a lasting legacy, and through engagement with local communities and City of Edinburgh Council, they identified The Dock as an ideal project to support. This means benefit-in-kind donations of materials, professional advice, volunteering, and supporting the development of the training elements of the project with partners, Raeburn Training.