Enthusiasts have been learning how to help care for the valuable woodland and wildlife haven – and more members are welcome
PENARTH’s Kymin Park, with its ancient woodland, orchard, meadow and community gardens, is flourishing thanks to the hard work of volunteers.
Since 2018, when Penarth Town Council announced it would end its management of the park, The Friends of the Kymin group has stepped in to ensure the park remains accessible to the public, as well as caring for the area’s natural environment and enhancing its biodiversity.
Volunteers meet fortnightly on Saturdays from 10am to noon and new members are welcome.
“We’ve taken a light-touch approach, simply creating opportunities for people to come together, enjoy, and look after the site,” said Richard Parry, chair of the Friends of the Kymin.
“It’s about uniting people, making sure the area is safe, and keeping it well-maintained.”
The community orchard and meadow is gradually becoming a wildlife haven.
On Saturday, 20 residents attended a training day to learn how to better care for woodland’s biodiversity and manage non-native trees. The day was sponsored by the Local Nature Partnership and hosted by the Friends of the Kymin.
“We want to keep the Kymin accessible to the public while making sure it supports wildlife,” said Mr Parry.
“For example, we leave some of the dead standing wood because it provides homes for insects and woodpeckers.”
Image: Richard Parry in Kymin Park. Credit: James Bessant Davies
“It’s also great to see the local community involved. We’re always looking to make the area more welcoming for people to come and enjoy. This kind of community action is really valuable.”
Since Covid, outdoor spaces are more valued than ever, especially in Penarth, where there is a shortage of available land. Residents have been unable to join the waiting list for council-owned allotments since 2018.
Community gardening at the Kymin offers a way for residents to grow food, meet other people and share the benefits of green spaces together.
Part of the Kymin is listed as restored ancient woodland. It’s not uncommon to see foxes in the grounds and hear owls and woodpeckers just a few hundred metres from the town centre.
Careful woodland management will begin next winter, including the planting of more trees.
“Trees are essential for both the environment and our mental health,” said Anna Smith, who is projects overseer for Penarth Tree Forum.
“They reduce anxiety, cool the area in summer, and provide shade. Well-maintained trees also help reduce carbon dioxide levels.”
On Thursday, Penarth Tree Forum will hold its annual discussion on how to manage trees and improve the green canopy in the Vale of Glamorgan. A panel of experts will answer questions and people will be able to discuss issues like pollarding and planting the right trees in the right places. Everyone is invited,
“It’s heartening to see how the community comes together to protect and enjoy our green spaces,” said Mrs Smith.
