Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilised people are beginning to find out...that wildness is a necessity and that mountain parks and reservations are useful...as fountains of life. (John Muir. Our National Parks, 1897)
Part of the Park was listed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as early as 1952. Today most of the Park is included in the wider Firth of Forth SSSI, and the Firth of Forth Special Protection Area (SPA) and Ramsar boundary. This recognises the importance of the area’s geology and wetland habitat.
A fine balance has had to be found between conserving the Park’s natural habitats and satisfying increasing recreational needs.
A country park is a park or pleasure ground in the countryside which by reason of its position in relation to major concentrations of population affords convenient opportunities to the public for enjoyment of the countryside or open-air recreation. (Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967)
To cater for visitors a play area, barbecue site, toilets and benches have all been provided. Holiday chalets, which replaced earlier railway carriages at the foot of Winterfield, continue to be popular. Winterfield Caravan Site, also popular in the second half of the 20th century, closed and a new static site opened at Seafield in 1997.
For the Ranger Service the work is twofold. Staff deal with public rights yet work closely with local land managers.
Many issues – such as fires, disturbing wild animals and plants, controlling dogs, collecting shellfish and simple picnicking – recognised in the Park’s byelaws, were reviewed as a result of the new Access Code in 2005. In 2006 the rangers began recording all paths in East Lothian to produce a Core Paths Network.
Whether for recreation, education or business, rights of access have to be used responsibly and the environment cared for.
It’s a dog’s life!
