There's truly something for everyone to enjoy at Edinburgh's Inverleith Park

Sometimes, in the effort to fill family time, we forget what's right on our doorstep. The trauma occasionally incurred during a 40-minute drive with two children in the back seat can lead one to consider divorcing one's offspring, never mind the husband.

I often meet friends to walk our dogs in Edinburgh's Inverleith Park. Of a morning it's like a canine Piccadilly Circus, and very sociable for humans as well. When we go down with the kids the full extent of what this expanse of city centre greenery has to offer is more evident.

After plans to build a skate park were shelved, the council came up trumps with the alternative. By the gate opposite the Botanic Gardens there are now four tennis courts, a basketball court/five-a-side football pitch and an area to play petanque. And best of all – they're free. At weekend the courts can get quite busy, but there's never much of a wait and in the holidays there are organised coaching clubs.

Nearby there is a playpark for younger children, although that doesn't stop my 14-year-old going in with his little sister. There are also rugby and football pitches and a cricket area.

For a more sedate activity we save up crusts and feed the ducks and swans in the pond. Of course the pesky pigeons will look for their share, so you have to throw your bread carefully.

It would be perfectly possible to spend several hours here, although the lack of public lavatories (I'm going to start a campaign) means that you have to nip across the road to the Botanics if you get caught short. Mind you, on the way back you can stop at the ice-cream van for a 99.

Best of all, I think, is the people-watching. There are usually a few folk out with their personal trainers, paying a fortune to be put through some sort of agony, not forgetting the yummy mummy groups power walking with their pushchairs. Funniest of all are the early evening "bikini boot camps" when you can giggle at the gaggle of overweight, underfit red-faced ladies being shouted at by ex-army officers. I know this happens, because I have been one of those women.

So next time you think about jumping in the car to head to the countryside, remember the local parks. After all – we do pay for them.

Inverlieth Park, Arboretum Road, Edinburgh, EH3 5NZ, open daily

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on September 25, 2010