Lighting in Leith Links needs to be improved to address safety concerns "as a matter of urgency", Edinburgh council bosses have been warned, as residents reported some are now avoiding the park altogether at night.
A petition pushing for the area to be better-lit has been launched by local campaigners who said "whole stretches of pathway" are without lighting.
They added a council commitment to improve visibility in the greenspace 'over the next decade' does not go far enough - and called for "action now".
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The city's parks boss admitted the local authority "needs to move quick" following "unfortunate events involving women".
The issue was raised at a City Chambers meeting on Tuesday (December 13) during a debate on the council's 10-year plan for £5.96m investment park and greenspaces. A report detailing recent and future projects made no mention of lighting in Leith Links or elsewhere in the Capital.
Living Rent's Leith branch, who have campaigned on the issue throughout this year, told the culture and communities committee better lighting would improve "safety accessibility and the community".
Group member Sarah Bissett said: "We urge you to instigate the implementation of adequate lighting in the park as a matter of urgency.
"Public parks and greenspaces are important social resources for the community and the people of Leith have a right to a park that is safe and accessible for all."
"We note that the council has committed in its Leith Links Masterplan to some improvements over the next decade, however we consider this to be an urgent issue. We call on the council to correct this oversight and take immediate steps to correct it."
She said as well as broken lampposts contributing to the problem, "significant stretches" are "completely unlit".
She highlighted paths from Salamander Place to Somerset Place, Fingzies Place to the children's play park and in the mid section of Leith Links east as all being "fully unlit".
Local residents and community groups have raised concerns about "personal safety when walking through the park at night," she said, adding many felt anxious whilst walking through Leith Links at night whilst some completely avoid the area.
"A well-lit park will give pedestrians greater confidence to walk through the park after sundown," she said.
More than 500 local residents have signed a petition launched by Living Rent calling for improved lighting.
Councillor Hal Osler, Lib Dems, said inadequate lighting is "an issue across our city".
She added: "Lighting is a priority, it is a massive priority, and the issues we're constantly being told is issues about birds, the environment and stuff like that.
"We know this is expensive, we know the fact there are issues with it, but is there now a better understanding from officers about how important this issue is?"
Cllr Osler said there seemed to be "a constant push to try and get something done about this".
Gareth Barwell, director of operational services, said the council needs to respond to "changing emphasis" on lighting in parks following "unfortunate events involving women".
He added: "I've worked here for eight years and lighting hasn't been on the agenda in parks unfortunately until the last two years and we need to move quick now."
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