Overview

Blackford Pond has and hasn't changed since I was a child. The pretty cottage garden to the right of the gate is very welcoming, as were the last of the daffodils nestling under the trees. As you go round the pond, there is warm, dappled sunshine through the trees on the south side and direct sunlight on the north side of the pond. I was trying out my new red wheelchair and Batec and got a number of stares and even 'What's that?' Spring has arrived in its fullness: marsh marigolds thriving among iris leaves, wild garlic & celandines growing by old decaying logs in the partial shade of pale sycamore, elder and elm leaves in bud; the triumphant song of blackbirds, wood pigeons so plump they can barely coo, various ducks, seabirds and a couple of year old cygnets all fighting for space on the island; the joys of Blackford Pond. It's tidier,and litter-free. There is a small playground for children upto age 7 or 8 at the East end. The information boards are clearer and more informative than I remember. There was a good cross-section of ethnicity & ages: mums and toddlers, students, a few folk in the 40-50s and some retired people too. A cafe would be a real draw for both locals and also folk coming for the afternoon - I'll suggest it to the council!

Transport & Parking

There is limited free parking by the main gates to the pond and more up on both side of Charterhall Road. The 38 bus joins Cluny Gardens with Morningside and stops outside the gates. The 24 & 41 stop at the post office in Blackford Avenue, from there it is a 5 to 10 minute walk or two stops on a 38 on the far side of Charterhall Road. There are ringing traffic lights with drop down kerbs at both Blackford Avenue and Cluny Gardens. There isn't a cafe so take a picnic from home or pick something up in Morningside or at the Avenue Store opposite the post office. Remember to take all your leftovers home, to reduce the vermin problem.

Access

The path round the pond is fairly flat. There was no dog poo on the path when we went on our outing. There are 6 south-facing benches by the pond. The gates to keep dogs, except assistance dogs, out of the pond area swing open easily, but in a wheelchair, they are hard to close. The terrain is relatively smooth but the paths are dotted with large, sharp pieces of basalt gravel, which could burst a tyre or catch on a caster wheel and tip you out your chair. Use your mountain bike tyres if you have them and let a tiny bit of pressure out of them, which may prevent a puncture, and prevent the front wheels of powerchairs and scooters from spinning on sand or fine gravel on a steep inclne, and note that although this can help, it will make it a little harder to push the chair. May I recommend that you keep a can of tyre slime or goo to deal with unexpected punctures, in your day-to-day rucksack, especially if you use a wheelchair or other wheeled transportation for longer distances.

Toilets

The nearest toilet facilities are in Morningside, which could make thing difficult.

Staff

There are park wardens who do spot checks on the Park. The last time I was there, we were passed by some wardens in a van. They waved and greeted people as they drove past us slowly.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

I had a great time travelling down memory lane. The pond and hill were our childhood stomping ground. We used to take baked potatoes in our pockets to keep our hands warm on a winter outing which we either ate by ourselves or shared with the ducks. Or a cheese sandwich to fortify us for whatever activity we had planned for the day, e.g. climbing the hill, fighting the neighbours, walk over to the Braid Hills or through the Hermitage. You mustn't feed bread or seed to the ducks or swans. It is bad for their digestion, encourages seagulls and rats which don't belong in that ecosystem, and surplus rotten bread causes algal bloom in the water, which in turn reduces the level of oxygen in the water, so both plant and animal life die, which is what happened a few years back.

Photos