The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited a pioneering initiative to reduce inequality of access to green spaces in the UK on the final day of their tour of Scotland.
Prince William and Kate visited Starbank Park in Edinburgh to hear about the work of Fields in Trust. The Duke of Cambridge has been President of Fields in Trust since 2013, when he took the role on from his grandfather, The Duke of Edinburgh, who had been involved with the organisation since 1948.
They heard about the organisation’s Green Space Index, which is an annual barometer of green space provision and distribution across the UK, and heard from volunteers and families how crucial the park has been to the local community.
William and Kate helped nursery school children scatter plant seeds that will attract butterflies and also met teenagers working towards their Duke of Edinburgh's bronze award who were planting sunflowers.
The Green Space Index is an analytical tool that identifies inequities of green space provision and consequently enables the planning and protection of green infrastructure that can help mitigate climate change at a local level.
This year’s report has found that over 2.77m people live further than a 10-minute walk from a local park or green space and only 6% of all parks and green spaces are protected in perpetuity.
Starbank Park is protected by Fields in Trust and run by Edinburgh City Council. On the visit, The Duke and Duchess were heard how Edinburgh City Council have used the Green Space Index developed by Fields in Trust to ensure that almost all of the population are within a ten-minute walk of a protected park or green spaces.
Their Royal Highnesses met with local volunteers who have transformed the 125 year old park over the last seven years, and meet members of the community who use the space including local families, nursery groups and Duke of Edinburgh Award participants.
