Crap Towns / Edinburgh / Parks
How many parks and playgrounds has Edinburgh got?
OS maps 185 public parks and gardens in Edinburgh (April 2026): 3.7 per 10,000 people, 48% higher than the typical town's 2.5. There are 238 play spaces, 4.8 per 10,000 people, 20% lower than the typical town's 6.0. 11.0% of its people live more than 400 metres from a park or play space, as the crow flies, 29% lower than the typical town's 15.5%.
| Measure | Here | Typical town |
|---|---|---|
| Public parks and gardens per 10,000 people | 3.7 | 2.5 |
| Play spaces per 10,000 people | 4.8 | 6.0 |
| Square metres of public park per person | 21.7 | 4.5 |
| People more than 400 metres from a park or play space | 11.0% | 15.5% |
| Town | Distance | % more than 400 metres from a park |
|---|---|---|
| Loanhead | 7.5 km | 18.1 |
| Penicuik | 11.2 km | 15.7 |
| Bonnyrigg | 9.8 km | 11.6 |
| Edinburgh | – | 11.0 |
| South Queensferry | 12.2 km | 7.2 |
| Kirkliston | 11.9 km | 5.3 |
| Musselburgh | 10.4 km | 3.9 |
| Burntisland | 13.9 km | 1.9 |
| Dalkeith | 11.0 km | 0.7 |
| Dalgety Bay | 13.9 km | 0.0 |
| Mayfield | 12.8 km | 0.0 |
| The typical town | – | 15.5 |