Re-Imagining Victoria Park Bowling Greens

What are these bowling greens now?

The former bowling greens at Victoria Park are being transformed into new community spaces shaped by local feedback and delivered in partnership with community organisations and volunteers.

Following extensive engagement and consultation, residents told us they wanted the spaces to become more welcoming, accessible and beneficial for both people and wildlife. The community’s priorities included a sensory garden, community growing space and community café (read more in the first design report).

Today, the two former bowling greens are home to:

Drakkar’s Drift, an award-winning sensory garden that is now open to the public.

Trinity Community Croft, a community growing space led by Earth in Common.

Plans to explore the future use of the former pavilion as a community café, subject to consultation and statutory processes.

Drakkar's Drift

Drakkar’s Drift is an immersive sensory garden designed by Leith-based garden designer Luke Coleman. Originally created for the RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse in 2025, the garden won four major awards: RHS Gold Medal, RHS Young Designer of the Year, People’s Choice Award, Best Construction Award.

Inspired by Scotland’s historic connections with Scandinavia, the healing power of nature and sustainable design, the garden has now found a permanent home in Victoria Park.

The original show garden has been carefully adapted and expanded to create a larger, more accessible public space. It includes:

Mature trees and sensory planting
Accessible paths and seating
Wildlife-friendly habitats
Sculptural habitat columns that support biodiversity
Natural stone features and moss-covered boulders

The garden officially opened in 2025 and has been made possible through fundraising, sponsorship, volunteer support and contributions from local community organisations.

Further improvements

Additional funding has recently been secured through the FCC Communities Foundation Community Action Fund.

This funding will support further enhancements for both Drakkar’s Drift and the Community Croft, including:

A new accessible paved entrance
A braille map and signage
Accessible picnic benches
Additional planting and interpretation features
Raingarden planting to reduce path flooding

Some of these improvements may be delivered during autumn to minimise disruption during the busy summer period.

Trinity Community Croft

The second former bowling green is being transformed into a community growing space known as Trinity Community Croft.

The project is being led by Earth in Common, an environmental charity based in Leith that works to address food system challenges, climate change and social inequality through community food growing and environmental education.

Progress so far

Funding from Foundation Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council has enabled Earth in Common to employ dedicated staff to support development of the site.

Over the past year:

Around 60 local volunteers have become involved in the project.
Regular twice-weekly volunteering sessions have been established.
New habitats have been created to increase biodiversity.
Native hedgerows have been planted.
A wildlife pond and bog garden have been created.

The pond has already become home to frogs and tadpoles, helping to create a thriving habitat for local wildlife.

Working with volunteers and partners

Volunteer involvement has been one of the project’s greatest successes, helping to build a strong sense of community ownership and stewardship.

The project is also working with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) to explore ways of growing food and improving soil quality where contamination has limited traditional food-growing opportunities. This research will help inform future development of the site.

The Pavilion

The former bowling pavilion forms an important part of the long-term vision for the site.

Repairs to the building have now begun, and a Common Good consultation will take place as an important first step towards exploring the potential for a community café.

Any future change of use would be subject to consultation findings and the necessary statutory approvals.

In the meantime, the pavilion will continue to support activities associated with Trinity Community Croft.

What’s next

Earth in Common is continuing to secure funding to expand food-growing opportunities across the croft, including the creation of additional accessible raised beds and growing areas.

In the longer term, income-generating activities such as workshops, community events and other social enterprise activities will help support the long-term sustainability of the project.

Get involved and volunteer

There are opportunities to get involved in caring for Drakkar’s Drift and helping develop Trinity Community Croft.

Email: thrivinggreenspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk