Parks for People

£3.1 million boost to revive Cyfarthfa Park

Cyfarthfa Park, the largest public park in Merthyr Tydfil is currently under a major redevelopment thanks to a £3.1 million investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Welsh Government, CADW and Merthyr Tydfil CBC.

The funding is for a four year programme which commenced in 2012. The project is working with the community to conserve and enhance the industrial heritage and historic features in Cyfarthfa Park as part of the HLF Parks for People initiative.

The Parks for People project comprises of two complementary programmes which are for capital works and a full programme of coordinated activities. The funding is enabling Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council (MTCBC) to carry out vital restoration to the historic landscape of the Park. There are eleven capital schemes in total.

Capital works will enhance key heritage features with better interpretation, improved access through the circulation path scheme, links to the industrial hinterland, improved visitor facilities, parking provisions and changes to the Castle forecourt.

Disused structures such as the icehouse will be reconstructed and brought back into use plus original features such as the walled kitchen garden will be partially restored. Plans also include improvements to the tennis courts, bandstand, bowls pavilion, lake, park landscape as well as the dredge and repair of the Castle Wood Ponds.

An apprentice programme forms a significant part of the project which will give local people the chance to get ‘hands-on’ construction and horticultural training, particularly in traditional skills such as stone wall building. An extensive volunteering and training programme has been developed.

If you are interested in taking an active role and becoming involved in these projects, please call our Volunteer Co-ordinator on 01685 722340.