The Friends of Montgomery Street Park is a group of local people dedicated to transforming Montgomery Street Park into a vibrant and well used community space. We have a committee to run the group. Elected in June 2011 each committee member has voluntarily committed their time and talent for an initial two year period.
We have about a hundred ordinary members, many of whom are involved with one-off events or specific aspects of the park project. These members are very supportive and dependable and have made vital contributions to our successes so far. We also have members who just like to be kept informed of our progress.
Also crucial to the group are our local business members - Particularly Eero and Riley and Rankin Fraser whose enthusiasm and support has been constant.
Whatever their level of involvement all our members are vital to the success of the project and all have contributed to the group’s achievements so far. Considering the group has existed for such a short time, these achievements are impressive.
General meetings for the upcoming year will be held on the following dates, and all are welcome. Anyone interested in attending a meeting should get in touch using the contact form closer to the date for specific time and venue information.
Forthcoming Meeting Dates
Next AGM: Wednesday 30th May 2012 - venue t.b.c.
The Committee
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Chris Rankin |
Chris is a landscape architect. He lives near Montgomery Street Park and his firm Rankin Fraser Landscape Architects is based in Montgomery Street. "I have both a personal and professional interest in Montgomery Street Park. As a local resident with a young daughter the park should be a place where we go to play and relax. As a landscape architect the park presents a remarkable design opportunity to reinvigorate an important urban space for the benefit of the whole neighbourhood" |
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Michael Davidson |
Michael lives at the top of Easter Road and works for locally based Icosis Architects. "Using the park regularly, I enjoy witnessing the park's amenity improved and its environment enhanced by the collective effort of the local community."
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Christine Rigouleau |
Christine is an accountant and she lives on Montgomery Street. “Being involved in the Park has given me the chance to meet some fantastic people and to get a great sense of achievement. It is heart warming to see so many people and local business that are ready to give their time and support and really make a difference.” |
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Tasca Shadix |
Tasca is a writer and full-time mum who lives near Montgomery Street Park. “I became involved with the group not only because I am compulsive about putting rubbish in the bin and want a cleaner, brighter place for my daughter to play, but also to teach her about how people can work together for positive change in the community.” |
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Géraldine Debard |
Géraldine is a university administrator and lives near Montgomery Street Park. |
Julienne Thurrott is our immediate Past Chair and remains involved with group, principally undertaking the important task of securing much needed funding for further improvements to the Park.
Who We Work With 
The City of Edinburgh Council owns Montgomery Street Park and so we have to consult them about any changes we wish to make. The Parks and Greenspaces Department and the Leith Neighbourhood Partnership have been very supportive within the constraints of their budgets. The Friends of Montgomery Street Park tries to make politicians aware of the importance of the park to our community so that we can push the park up the political agenda and have more money allocated to its improvement. If you are interested in improving the park you could write to your local councillor and express your concern either as a member of the group or as a concerned constituent.
