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 April 2008 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 - Eero and Riley, Renroc, the Manna House 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
Quarterly Meeting - 8th September 2010
Quarterly Meeting - 29th November 2010
Quarterly Meeting - 2nd March 2011
AGM - 01st June 2011
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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Julienne Thurrott |
Julienne lived opposite Montgomery Street Park for several years and her children love to play there. "It's fantastic to live so close to the city centre and have access to so much green space. I really enjoy being involved with the group - I'd always thought the park could be so much better than it is and now we're making that happen ourselves as a community." |
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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.” |
Additionally Christine Rigouleau holds the position of Treasurer and Suzanne Gibson is our Events Manager.
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.
