A community group has held its first fundraising event as it attempts to raise enough cash to purchase a disused park.
The application from residents to purchase the disused Bonnymuir Bowling Green was approved by Scottish Ministers in April.
The Midstocket-based trust now has until August to raise £125,000 in funds to transform the overgrown land into a community-owned coffee shop and garden.
Ingrid Stanyer, who sits on the trust’s interim board of directors, said: “The new space will promote a sustainable way of living in Bonnymuir.
“We will be teaching people a variety of skills like how to cook, recycle materials into something new and grow their own vegetables.”
The property had lain empty since 2014.
The trust is hoping that the Big Lottery Fund will help cover the majority of funding by the August deadline.
The community group’s fundraising quiz, which took place at Mile-End school on Friday 15 June, raised more than £2,000 towards the project, the first of a host of planned fundraising events.
Mrs Stanyer said the night “exceeded expectations” with 142 people in attendance.
“People were pre-booking tickets and emailing ahead for information,” she said.
“We are extremely grateful to the people who have supported us to date and took part in the quiz.”
Sainsbury’s Rosemount shop donated food and drink to the event, which featured raffle prizes from Queen Vic, Cognito, Living Well and other local businesses.
Mrs Snyder explained that the event wasn’t simply to raise money, but also to bring the community closer together.
She said: “It was about getting the people engaged, like our future space will do. We have the land and now need community support from schools, and local businesses.
“When we hopefully get to work on the land we will really appreciate volunteers, like gardeners or builders to help create what will be a hub of activity.”
