Where is the St. Fittick’s Park Outdoor Classroom?

Located on the edge of the beautiful St. Fittick’s Park in Torry, Aberdeen, The St. Fittick’s Park Outdoor Classroom is a hub for public events. The classroom is a small red shelter built by local craftsmen, it overlooks the Friends of St. Fittick’s Park community orchard and is within sight of Balnagask Circle, directly accessible to families in the area of Torry. 

Who are The Friends of St Fittick’s Park?

During the midst of the COVID crisis of 2020, many Torry residents were shocked to find a notice in their letterboxes informing them that there was to be a new designation imposed on much of the surrounding  area, as part of an ‘Energy Transition Zone’. This area could encompass  part of the local golf course, the local rare breeds farm (Doonies),  and St. Fittick’s Park. 

For many thousands of us living in Torry, St. Fittick’s is our only green space accessible without public transport or a car, and is part of the heart of our community. Our Torry is a long suffering area, having taken the brunt of dirty industrial development in the city for decades. From the destruction of Old Torry to the current South Harbour Development, we have been fighting against unwanted encroachment onto our landscape and community spaces for a long time.

We are advocating for the protection of St. Fittick’s Park in its entirety and the surrounding green belt from the so-called Energy Transition Zone (ETZ), ensuring the lands continue to be thriving habitats for plants, animals and the community.

We celebrate St Fittick’s Park as a place for people of Torry and Aberdeen to come and enjoy and be close to nature. We work and collaborate with others to help maintain and improve the park and its biodiversity, including the East Tullos Burn, through education and positive community building. Using the Outdoor Classroom as a hub, Friends of St. Fittick’s Park hosts community and expert-led events, enriching the community as they engage with the park and learn about the natural world. 

How did the Outdoor Classroom become established?

The classroom was created after receiving support from the local community through their votes in the Just Transition Participatory Budget Fund. We’re working with a large number of collaborative partners across the area. We have also funding gained from Fauna & Flora International and The National Lottery Community Fund in order to facilitate our activities. 

Check out upcoming events or book a slot to host one of your own, we hope you’ll join us on our journey in the Outdoor Classroom where learning meets the great outdoors.