Community Roots: How Friends of Seaton Park Took Shape

Sheila Gordon, has held the role of Chair of the Friends of Seaton Park, for over a decade. “I didn’t intend getting involved to the extent I did,” she laughed. “I went along to a meeting once and ended up being the Chairperson, but I have loved having the opportunity to play a role in taking care of the park for the community. Seaton Park belongs to everyone. It’s not just grass and paths – it’s part of our lives” explains Sheila.

Over the years, Friends of Seaton Park have tackled a wide range of projects, all made possible by the efforts of volunteers. One standout is the revitalisation of the park’s historic resident – Mr Therm the Play Train. “The train was falling apart – rusty, unsafe. It was almost all held together with string,” Sheila recalled. “We worked with the council and ACVO to secure funding to restore it which saw it returned to where it was originally built in Kilmarnock, where it was stripped down, protected with a weather-resistant coating, and beautifully repainted with the carriage artwork designed by local children.”

I’m most proud of that,” said Sheila “There’s a park in Dunfermline with the same engine, but it’s fenced off and says ‘do not climb’. Ours is for playing. It might disappoint the train enthus-iasts, but where else can children get up close for interactive play that connects them to our industrial history and past.”

Restoring Landmarks and Reimagining the Landscape

The group also played a key role in the creation of the wetlands area, which helped manage persistent flooding issues in the park while promoting biodiversity.

“The park is low-lying, and as the climate changes, the water table is rising,” Sheila explained. “So rather than fight it, we made a feature of it. Now, it’s a habitat for wildlife and helps manage the excess water”

“Experts came in to design the wetlands so the water would collect and help drain the land. And even during that project, we discovered things like a massive ancient tree trunk which is geologically significant and on display now at the entrance of the park. We also discovered boulders likely moved by historical floods. There’s so much more here than meets the eye.”

But none of this work happens in isolation. Volunteers are at the heart of it all. “We do things like bulb planting, weeding, maintaining the walled garden. The council only has two full-time gardeners for this huge park, so our volunteers help to fill in the gaps,” said Sheila. “Sometimes we get companies ringing us up asking if they can do a litter pick, or the rangers and council staff team up for bigger jobs like clearing reeds from the wetlands.”

A Space for Everyone: Nature, Play, and Belonging

Jill Marriot, Gardening Coordinator for the Friends group, echoed that sentiment as she worked in the walled garden alongside fellow volunteers. “There’s usually about six of us here on a Tuesday morning from 10:00 to midday,” Jill said. “But we’re always looking for more people. Even if people can just manage occasionally every little helps.”

“You don’t need to commit every week – even just popping in occasionally really helps. With council budgets under pressure, it’s more important than ever that communities step up. The more people get involved, the more they care. And that ownership shows.”

Jill’s decision to get involved was shaped by her own experience of using the park during the pandemic. “I was working from home during lockdown and using the park a lot. After I retired, I felt it was time to give something back,” she explained. “And I found this lovely, friendly bunch to volunteer with. It’s great to be outside, active, and meeting new people.”

“For me, what makes Seaton Park so special is that it’s a space for everyone – from families with little kids to older people out for a walk, there’s always such a mix of people enjoying it,” says Jill.

“And the nature here is incredible. During lockdown especially, I started noticing so much more – we had otters playing in the river and even a seal that used to swim right up into the freshwater. There are loads of red squirrels around too; I know someone just over the wall who puts food out and gets about six of them regularly. It’s just lovely to have all that on our doorstep. Looking after the park is really about looking after our own shared space.”

She also believes the importance of volunteers goes beyond maintenance. “Parks can be abused rubbish left behind, things neglected. But the more local people get invol-ved, the more they feel protective of the space. It really does make a difference.”

Sheila agrees: “Once it belongs to you, you get angry when people make a mess of it. That’s why we start young, get children involved in litter picking and planting. If they respect it early, they’ll grow up to care for it.”

Why Volunteering Matters: Ownership, Pride, and Protection

Seaton Park is more than a playground or picnic spot – it’s a vital resource for the surrounding communities, many of which face socio-economic challenges. “This is the only proper green space in the North of the city,” said Sheila. “You’re surrounded by areas like Seaton and Tillydrone, and not everyone can afford to go to the beach or drive to other parks. But here, you can just come and enjoy it for free. It’s safe for kids, and parents appreciate that.”

That versatility makes it even more important to protect. “Other parks in the city are more formal, but Seaton Park is a big, versatile open space,” Sheila said. “It’s not regimented. You don’t need to book a pitch to play football. On a Sunday, you’ll see groups of people just showing up to kick a ball. I’ve seen rounders, Zumba classes, even a game of American football. It’s a space people use in whatever way suits them.”

But maintaining and improving the park isn’t without challenges. “We’ve done a lot – new benches, paths, picnic areas – but there’s always more to do,”bSheila admitted. “We’d love to fix the main road through the park, but getting the money, and permissions since it is a council run space, is no small ask. And even if you have the money navigating permissions, is another job in itself.”

That’s why more community involvement is vital – not just physically, but in advocacy, funding applications, and helping to amplify the value of green spaces in city life.

And , like many other residents, for Sheila, the connection to the park is deeply personal.

“I’ve been coming to this park since 1959. It used to be the school playing fields for Aberdeen Academy – back when it was in the city centre and had no grounds of its own. We were bussed out here every week for hockey and rugby and in the summer we had athletics and games. It was very different back then, less trees, more open space – but it’s always been a place for activity and play.”

Later, as a young mother living in Old Aberdeen, Sheila would bring her own children to the park. “We played in the playground when they were small. And when I wanted peace and quiet, I’d sit in the formal gardens. That’s the beauty of this park – it has something for everyone, at every stage of life.”

Seaton Park is more than just green space – it’s a vibrant part of Aberdeen’s past, present, and future. It offers room to play, breathe, connect with nature, and build community. Thanks to the dedication of local people like Sheila, Jill, and the many volunteers behind Friends of Seaton Park, the park continues to thrive – not only as a beautiful public space, but as a testament to what can be achieved when people care for something together.

As Jill put it, “It’s a space for everyone. You don’t need to have a garden or any special knowledge – just a willingness to help. And in return, you get to be part of something that really matters.”

To contact Friends of Seaton Park, email chairoffosp@gmail.com or check out the Facebook page: Seaton Park Friends.

This article originally appeared in the June 2025 edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine for and from the the third sector in Aberdeen. Read the current and past editions, and sign up to our mailing list, at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news