Clare Gardens to benefit from investment

24/5/24

A new community garden, exercise area, and social space will be introduced to Clare Gardens in Riverside, alongside meadow planting, and a range of other improvements.

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Clare Gardens

Funded byWelsh Government's Transforming Towns Programme and the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund, theworks are due to begin in June andwillinclude:

A new community garden.
A new table tennis table.
New picnic tables.
A new bodyweight/calisthenics exercise area.
A new social space with seating.
Re-surfaced paths and walking loop.
New meadow area and other new planting.
Two new gate entrances, one on each corner of Clare Street.
New tree planting and existing mature trees retained.

The improvements are designed to complement the play area and sports facilities in nearby Despenser Gardens.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, Cllr Lee Bridgeman, said: "The Clare Gardens improvements are part of our Neighbourhood Renewal Scheme programme which delivers regeneration projects across the city.

"Plans to upgrade the park have been developed in consultation with local members and the local community, who I'm sure will be pleased with the end result. We're really grateful to everyone who enjoys the gardens currently for their patience while we carry out these works."

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An aerial plan of Clare Gardens, outlining the improvements that will be made.

Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke, said: "We want everybody to be able to enjoy Cardiff's parks and Riverside is the latest area to benefit from investment, with in the region of £6 million of improvements made to play areas and outdoor spaces across the city, over the last three years."

To allow the improvements to be completed as safely and quickly as possible, the park will be closed to the public for the duration of the improvement works. Subject to unforeseen circumstances, the park is expected to re-open in September.

As part of the scheme, the park railings at Despenser Gardensare also being repainted, through HM Prison & Probation Service's Community Payback programme.

Robert Robbins, Community Payback Operations Manager for the Probation Service, said: "The Community Payback Team in Cardiff Probation Service Wales, is proud to be carrying out meaningful and positive restoration work at Despenser Gardens, Riverside. In collaboration with Cardiff Council, offenders are paying back their debts by helping to improve green outdoor spaces within the city for the local communities to enjoy."

The works are all part of Cardiff Council's Neighbourhood Renewal Schemes Programme which deliver regeneration projects across the city, includingnew or upgraded parks, public realm and community safety improvements.