After four years of hard work, creativity, and community spirit, Coalie Park in Leith has been completely transformed. Once a tired and overlooked stretch along the Water of Leith, the park is now a vibrant riverside destination where people, wildlife, and art come together.
This journey—led by Water of Leith Conservation Trust (WoLCT) with support from City of Edinburgh Council, local groups, and generous funders—shows what’s possible when a community shares a vision.
A Park Designed by the Community, for the Community
Back in 2021, we asked a simple question: “What could Coalie Park be?”
Through Coalie Conversations, online surveys, and a lively community Fun Day, hundreds of local people shared their ideas. They wanted a park that:
- Feels welcoming and safe for everyone
- Protects and enhances wildlife habitats
- Celebrates Leith’s unique heritage and creativity
- Offers spaces to play, connect, and relax
Those ideas shaped our Landscape Master Plan, breaking the project into phases and sub‑projects like the Gathering Space, nature planting, public art, and a creative new skate and social area—The Dock.
Phase 1: Opening Up the Riverside
The first phase, completed in 2024, gave the eastern side of Coalie Park a new lease of life:
- Construction of riverside amphitheatre-style steps with ramps for access and relaxation
- Upgraded paths with a distinctive resin-bonded “silver thread” design representing the river
- New benches, cycle parking, and seating areas to suit a range of users
- Habitat enhancements including, three new oak trees, a native hedgerow, pollinator-friendly meadow and coastal-themed planters
- The installation of two Biomatrix floating ecosystems. These are modular floating platforms planted with vegetation that mimics natural wetlands, creating habitat for wildlife and improving water quality in urban waterways
- Installation of solar lighting for safety and accessibility
When we reopened the park in May 2024, it immediately became a space for picnics, play, quiet walks, and wildlife watching.
Phase 2: Colour, Creativity, and The Dock
Phase 2 took the project west of Great Junction Street, adding community art, wildflower planting, and upcycled seating—including beautifully repainted benches donated by Network Rail. The community design Mural at the west end of the site has created a vibrant destination, it is hard now to remember what it used to look like.
The centre point of this phase is The Dock:
- A skate and wheel‑skills space for all abilities
- Gaudí‑inspired mosaics designed by artist Campbell Barclay with local volunteers
- Seating, planters, and creative landscaping made from recycled and donated materials
Local young people were at the heart of the build, training with Edinburgh Wheels Project and earning industry certifications as they helped create this unique community space. Which we hope will be open soon.
Powered by Partnership and Generosity
The Coalie Park Improvement Project was only possible thanks to the dedication of:
- 75+ volunteers and countless local supporters
- Community groups and youth trainees who shaped and built the park
- Dozens of Funders and sponsors, from the National Lottery Community Fund and Garfield Weston Foundation to local businesses like Balfour Beatty and Jewson
Together, these efforts represent over £550,000 invested in Leith’s green space, culture, and community.
A Lasting Legacy for Leith
Today, Coalie Park is more than a park—it’s a community success story. It’s a place where children play, cyclists pause, wildlife thrives, and neighbours meet by the water.
And we’re not done yet! In the coming months we’ll:
- Officially open The Dock
- Continue wildflower and habitat care
- Host volunteer events and community days to keep the park thriving