Old paddling pool site on the Promenade.

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 03 Jul 2005, 19:36

Brian McCrow wrote:I know it's too late but I like the enclosed walls. I wonder why we didn't just repair the stanchions and put up glass sections.

Spree's piccie brought back a lot of memories of the old paddling pool. I spent some time splashing around there in the 60s too.
It must have been a reasonably well sheltered spot to sit in on windy/rainy days.
I think it looked good and it's a shame not to have used what is left of it (the stancions) as part of the oncoming changes.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 07 Jul 2005, 13:57

Brian McCrow wrote:I know it's too late but I like the enclosed walls. I wonder why we didn't just repair the stanchions and put up glass sections.

Like the ones that were there you mean?

At the risk of repeating myself - it should never have been allowed to get into this state in the first place and then it wouldn't have taken so much to repair

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 08 Jul 2005, 07:47

Epykat wrote:
Brian McCrow wrote:I know it's too late but I like the enclosed walls. I wonder why we didn't just repair the stanchions and put up glass sections.
Like the ones that were there you mean? At the risk of repeating myself - it should never have been allowed to get into this state in the first place and then it wouldn't have taken so much to repair

Agree totally Epykat.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 18 Jul 2005, 11:42

I thought work should have started on the 11 July?

I passed the area yesterday and noticed that there are now barriers around the site, but nothing else seems to have happened.

Post by **wangi** » 18 Jul 2005, 11:46

Like that all last week. Also two storage containers on site.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 19 Jul 2005, 21:55

You can't rush these things

Post by **wangi** » 25 Jul 2005, 15:02

The revised plans, might be of interest: Info, & the documents (including plans)

Interesting to note the raised area of long grass (cut twice a year) which I guess if the material left over after the existing on-site structures are demolished.

Beach Babe · Post by **Beach Babe** » 04 Aug 2005, 22:56

the site has been totally bulldozed now and looks like a rubble yard

Post by **wangi** » 04 Aug 2005, 23:05

Yeah, first green thingie came down two days ago (as I passed on the way to work)... and there is but one left standing tonight.

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 31 Aug 2005, 13:02

It's a shame they pulled up a tree in the corner that borders Laing Terrace.

Let's hope that plenty of trees are planted in this area as it's something that the promenade needs.

Still can't understand why they're going to pull uop the cherry blossom's in the High street.

Progress my backside.............................

Poppy · Post by **Poppy** » 31 Aug 2005, 14:50

kevin wrote:Still can't understand why they're going to pull up the cherry blossom's in the High street.

Well, they do seem to be oozing nasty looking stuff from their trunks....

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 01 Sep 2005, 14:22

My Cherry blossom that is my garden oozes stuff from it's trunk each year does this each year and is very healthy.

Too many people for whatever reason seem happy to pull up healthy trees for no apparent reason.

These trees provide cover for wildlife and lovely blossom flowers in spring time.
The High Street will lose charachter by having these established trees removed in favour of some bright architects idea that will take a long time to become established.By all means improve the greeness of the area by you don't start by ripping up the greenery that its already there.

The new area up the road that just been improved could have had more native trees planted rather than just the odd one or two that were already there.

I'd also like to see more of this money put into the Prom than the High st which isn't that bad compared to other main streets in Edinburgh and surrounding towns.

portocat · Post by **portocat** » 06 Oct 2005, 09:02

has anyone noticed the extremely huge gigantic sign that has been erected in the new garden (old paddling pool site). It is a massive wooden eyesore. I was shocked when I saw it. The struts for it are very big and ugly. I am sure a nicer sign could have been used. Maybe they had to make it especially sturdy to withstand a freak tidal wave, incase one came up the forth.

I have to say, I know the garden is not yet finished, but I had imagined it to be a lot nicer. The benches all point away from the sea too, which seems strange.

Post by **wangi** » 06 Oct 2005, 09:10

It's just a site board, not permanent. The seats are facing in to the garden...

portocat · Post by **portocat** » 07 Oct 2005, 08:22

Oh I didnt realise it was a temporary sign. it looked quite permanent.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 09 Oct 2005, 13:56

Here's some recent pics of the project, now almost complete.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Oct 2005, 19:08

Do you know if it's going to be open or are they putting a fence round it?

seashell · Post by **seashell** » 09 Oct 2005, 19:40

hmmm - three benches and two litter bins. Approximate cost (plus landscaping) for the layman to install: around Â£500. Wonder how much we've been ripped off for this then? And the burning question is - what possible benefit does this bring to the community? Value for money - I think not. One can just picture the OAPs merrily incubating TB amidst the strong sea breezes and gale force winds, as the flying sand lacerates their eyeballs.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 09 Oct 2005, 20:29

Join the small band Seashell! There are those of us who think along these lines (look back at older posts). Glad they thought about the lacerated eyeballs though and put the benches facing away from the sea!

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 10 Oct 2005, 13:48

I think it looks very smart and much better than it did before.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 10 Oct 2005, 14:23

seashell wrote:hmmm - three benches and two litter bins. Approximate cost (plus landscaping) for the layman to install: around Â£500. Wonder how much we've been ripped off for this then? And the burning question is - what possible benefit does this bring to the community? Value for money - I think not.

To me it looks considerably better than the eyesore this site has been for many years. I also thought the Community had been consulted on this too?

P.S. If you can get me a similar amount of work done in my back garden for Â£500 then please let me know.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 10 Oct 2005, 18:54

I agree. I think it is going to look great when it is all finished and I'm impressed by the quality of workmanship I've seen so far. The improvements on the Prom may seem piecemeal but overall it looks a whole lot better than it did just a few years ago.

I know it seems like a lot of money, but I think we have got good value. I just hope that it is properly maintained and isn't allowed to fall into decline as before.

Epykat · Post by **Epykat** » 10 Oct 2005, 20:44

Porty wrote:I think it looks very smart and much better than it did before.

Obviously it's going to look better than it did before. Anything that's been left deliberately to go derelict will look better than it did before when you've tarted it up.

Post by **wangi** » 10 Oct 2005, 20:57

Bob Jefferson wrote:I know it seems like a lot of money, but I think we have got good value. I just hope that it is properly maintained and isn't allowed to fall into decline as before.

Â£116k isn't it? Nice it may well be, but value-for-money is stretching it somewhat.

john · Post by **john** » 12 Oct 2005, 08:13

I understand that there is to be a curved metal fence or screen stretching down from the red stone wall in John Street and round the corner to behind the seats which are already in position. This should supply some wind protection and also explains why the seats are positioned as they are.

scossie5 · Post by **scossie5** » 12 Oct 2005, 13:32

I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. I have been giggling to myself that the most significant feature thus far seems to be the garbage bins (nice colour, but).

Still, since I would like everyone to pick up litter perhaps bins should be made a feature of.

Pal of Porty · Post by **Pal of Porty** » 12 Oct 2005, 23:13

Epykat wrote:
Porty wrote:I think it looks very smart and much better than it did before.
Obviously it's going to look better than it did before. Anything that's been left deliberately to go derelict will look better than it did before when you've tarted it up.

Some things in life look better in their pre-tarted up state!

jimann · Post by **jimann** » 17 Oct 2005, 17:42

I wonder if we'll ever see a breakdown of how the Â£116k was spent on the garden?

But it does look better than the old eyesore of the paddling pool.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 04 Nov 2005, 11:37

From Maureen Child:

We've decided to postpone the planned official opening of the Portobello Community Garden at the foot of John Street until the Spring and the garden is more established and this first phase is completely finished. By that time, we may have heard about the outcome of the Community Council's Heritage Lottery bid to restore Portobello's own historic Coade Stone Pillars, for which the foundations have been already laid as part of the Council contract.

The work in the Garden is almost complete, but there are a few small things still to do. Delays include the erection of a screen to provide protection from the wind to be placed behind the seating; a section of the new planting is still to be surrounded by cockleshell mulching which requires to be cleaned first; a decorative end piece which is currently being made by local potter Alison Robinson needs to be attached to the small retaining wall.

Although these are all rather small jobs which - in theory - could be completed by the middle of next week, there is no guarantee they will.

The other consideration is that the grass seeding is still germinating and should not be walked on until it is better established. Then better weather in Spring (?!) might attract a bigger crowd to the opening. The grass should be established and we people will be able walk on it freely without wrecking it.

In practice, the site should be complete by the end of November or early December - with attendant publicity, which we hope will also help the Lottery bid. The Coade Stone Pillars have yet to go in, so a formal opening can take place when they have been restored and erected on site - fingers crossed the bid is successful!

Please could you tell everybody you know that it's off for a week on Sunday, but I'll keep you posted on progress and any future event.

Maureen

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » 16 Nov 2005, 19:05

Good to see tonight that the garden is being put to good use and money well spent. The skateboarders were having a grand ol' time skating down the mound of grass

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 16 Nov 2005, 20:56

Gizmo wrote:Good to see tonight that the garden is being put to good use and money well spent. The skateboarders were having a grand ol' time skating down the mound of grass

Sandra · Post by **Sandra** » 16 Nov 2005, 20:59

Gizmo wrote:Good to see tonight that the garden is being put to good use and money well spent. The skateboarders were having a grand ol' time skating down the mound of grass

I thought that would happen!

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 16 Nov 2005, 21:24

Gizmo wrote:Good to see tonight that the garden is being put to good use and money well spent. The skateboarders were having a grand ol' time skating down the mound of grass

I haven't been down for a week or so but I'm assuming that the site is still fenced off, not least to allow the grass to become established so it's very disappointing if it is being damaged even before it opens. How old were these skaters?

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 16 Nov 2005, 21:40

Bob Jefferson wrote:. How old were these skaters?

Pardon me for asking but what's the relevance of the skaters age?

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 16 Nov 2005, 21:43

Porty wrote:
Bob Jefferson wrote:. How old were these skaters?
Pardon me for asking but what's the relevance of the skaters age?

If they're under 12 Bob might take them on.