Gabalfa Park is ‘a bit of a no-man’s land at the moment’ according to residents – but that may be about to change
RESIDENTS are striving to improve the safety, engagement and enjoyment of Gabalfa Park – a green space that has long been overlooked.
From anti-social behaviour, to littering, to a locked-up playground, Gabalfa Park faces many challenges which members of The Friends of Gabalfa Park (FGP) group are hoping to tackle.
The group has joined forces with the Llandaff North and Gabalfa PACT (Police and Community Together) group and local councillors, to revitalise this space.
The park is located on College Road in Llandaff North, bordering the Gabalfa Estate.
It has existed as an unnamed space for a long time, but the FGP group have hopes to rename it ‘Gabalfa’, to form a stronger connection to the estate.
“[The park is] a bit of a no-man’s land at the moment,” said Shamela Pepper-Grainger, chair of the FGP. “Why not try to put it on the map?”
“As the chair, I want to make sure that everyone’s needs are represented. Everyone is welcome to use that space, and it should reflect the community.”
What problems does the park suffer from, and how can they be fixed?
Shamela shared her main concerns about the park, including the need for improved lighting.
“As a young woman myself, I wouldn’t feel safe walking through the park,” said Shamela. “Visibility is very important.”
Matthew Thomas is a resident living nearby and told of his personal fear of walking through the park.
“It scares me to death […] you can’t see anything.”
Matthew Thomas
Resident Matthew Thomas. Credit: Hannah Walton-Hughes
“We petitioned to have lighting put in the park a couple of years ago,” said Matthew. “It is totally pitch-black.
“It scares me to death to think of a young woman walking through that park at night – you can’t see anything.”
Various ideas have been suggested by FGP, including lighting the park’s central pathway.
Steffan Webb, secretary of FGP, even suggested using luminous paint to light the pathway in addition to/instead of lighting.
Anti-social behaviour has become a real problem in the park, residents say.
“People tend to park up and run down the field to do drug dealing,” said Shamela.
And they don’t try to cover it up, said another resident.
Neighbour Sylvia Williams, who lives near the park, said: “They go into the bushes, and you can smell the drugs. They are intimidating when they are in a group.
“It’s a shame, when there are so many families round here with youngsters, that more is not done to protect the park from troublemakers.”
There have also been reports of off-road biking in the park, creating disruptive noise to residents.
Chart showing the total number of crimes reported in the last three years, up to the end of September 2024.
In September and October 2024, a total of 27 crimes were reported in the immediate vicinity of the park, including anti-social behaviour, violence and sexual offences, public order offences and vehicle crime, according to data published by South Wales Police.
There has been a dark cloud over the park since 2014, when it was alleged that a 17-year-old girl was raped in the park by a gang of youths.
In November 2015, South Wales Police announced that they were concluding their investigation, with no further police action taken.
However, Steffan said that the nature of the allegation has created a certain impression of the area.
Steffan said he hopes the group can prevent young people being drawn into anti-social behaviour, by promoting the park for exercise purposes – particularly for adolescents.
“What are the challenges they have got at that age? How much they can drink, how much they can smoke, how bad they can be…or how fit they are? There are two ways they can go,” he said.
“If we can challenge them into focusing on how strong/fit they are instead, perhaps by introducing solid equipment for physical activity, that would be great.
“The Park Run is an amazing phenomenon at the moment. Although the park is too small for the main run, a Junior Park Run might be possible.”
Steffan also wants to see the football pitch improved – there is currently only one goalpost.
FGP has joined with PACT to set up a regular litter pick in the park and the streets around it.
“If you look in the dense bushes, there is all sorts of rubbish squirrelled away, because people think- no one goes there, so I can just chuck it,” said Shamela.
“The three litter picks we have done have been fascinating,” said Steffan. “Kids have asked what I am doing, and I’ve explained.
“That sort of conversation and acknowledgement shows that they are perfectly aware of what we are doing there and have a certain respect for that. Hopefully it will be enough to make them put their junk in the bin.”
There is currently only one bin in the park, right in the centre, and one in the locked-up playground. FGP are aiming to increase this number.
Steffan believes there should be bins at the park’s entrance points.
A park without a playpark
One of the central problems with the park is its playground, which has been locked up since the Covid pandemic- over three years ago.
There is a chain on the gate, the swings have been taken away, there is litter strewn on the floor, and the top of the slide is covered with graffiti.
Shamela said the park being closed encourages unwanted behaviour – “people climb the fence, jump in there, and mess around”.
Sue Huckson, a regular dog-walker in the park, said she used the play area a lot with her grandchildren when they were small.
When there weren’t any children using the play area, she used to play ball in there with her dog.
“It is a shame it can’t be used,” she said.
Noting how the playground caters primarily to younger children, Shamela said she wants the park group to work with Cardiff Youth Service in order to give something to teenagers, too.
“How can we make them feel that they have a space that is their own?” she said.
Steffan said that the group want to get a ranger to go round the park to see where new trees/plants could be grown. There has already been some tree planting in sections of the park.
He wants to encourage older residents who use the nearby College Road allotments to get involved with planting.
The group wants to get local schools involved, for example by designing a logo for the park, and taking part in events held there.
“If there is an activity or event opened by a school choir for example, you are guaranteed to attract a crowd,” said Steffan.
“We live in a world that is so fast paced nowadays. Having a green space to be able to stop, reflect and sit still is so refreshing.”- Shamela Pepper-Grainger
Friends of Gabalfa Park has submitted paperwork to the council. If it is signed off, they will be able to start applying for funding.
Welsh Water has already expressed an interest in funding the group. And other avenues are being explored.
This is a huge step forward from 2020, when The Cardiffian reported that attempts were also made to set up a group, before Covid got in the way.
Jennifer Burke, cabinet member for culture, sport and parks, and councillor for Llandaff North, told The Cardiffian: “It’s taken about four years to get to this point, but I feel really positive about the steps we’re taking to get improvements in the park.”
Cardiff Council has earmarked capital funding to revamp the playpark and are running a live consultation – any ideas for the playpark should be sent to parks@cardiff.gov.uk, with the subject line ‘Gabalfa Park Playground.’
The Friends of Gabalfa Park are keen for new volunteers, and announce updates via their Facebook page.
