The park has been at the centre of the community since it was officially opened in 1926
HAILEY Park is approaching its 100th birthday and Llandaff North residents are crowd-sourcing ideas to mark the centenary next year.
The Friends of Hailey Park (FHP) group held an initial meeting for people to bring their own ideas to the table and so far the plans include a 1920s picnic, to echo the park’s opening in 1926.
“Nobody can do it on their own,” said Steph Wilkins, FHP committee member and Chair of the Llandaff North Residents Association.
“If we can all get involved, that should make it happen.”
FHP is appealing to various groups who use the park to come up with their own ideas to mark the anniversary and suggested that Llandaff North Rugby, Sports and Social Club could organise matches between current and former players.
But the group is also working on a number of projects that will remain in the park beyond the centenary. These include a heritage trail and a wildlife and wellbeing trail, which would run through the centre of the park.
Anita Smith, Chairperson of FHP, said that she hopes the trails will connect the different areas of the park, and teach people about its history.
“[By] having a better sense of named spots in the park, then people can connect more with that place, but also with each other. It becomes a social space,” she said.
“People will protect nature better if they have a connection with it.”
The group hopes to install information boards along the heritage trail, providing walkers with interesting facts about the history of the park, as well as guided walks and QR codes for them to access further information. .
One of the heritage points the group wants to highlight on the trail is the Glamorganshire Canal, which used to run through Hailey Park, before it was filled in in the 1950s. A line of trees now marks where the canal used to be.
The wildlife and wellbeing trail would contain a sensory garden, located on the grass area by the children’s playground. This green area used to be the site of the park’s bowling pavilion and by placing the garden there, the group hopes to form a further connection with the park’s history.
The bowling pavilion existed in the park until 2011, when it was demolished after a fire.
“We are trying to improve the nature at that end of the park, where there are a lot of nice facilities for families,” said Ms. Smith.
The group also wants to encourage smaller projects set up by members of the community and there are also plans to get schools, such as Hawthorn Primary, involved in the celebrations.
Ms. Smith described the centenary as a “focal point” and “something you can organise around.”
“Let’s see what our community is about,” said Ms. Smith.
“Let’s have some nice celebratory events.”
The area surrounding the park is very residential, and FHP suggested at the meeting that street parties could be organised by residents to commemorate the Centenary.
Hailey Park originated from 10 acres of land which was gifted to Cardiff Council in 1923 by Mr and Mrs C.P. Hailey of Whitchurch. Mr and Mrs Hailey wanted to provide a recreational space for the residents of Llandaff North to enjoy.
The park was officially opened and named in 1926 by Lord Mayor, Alderman W.B. Francis, with Mr. Hailey making a speech at the opening.
A photograph taken at this event can be viewed here.
To mark the decade in which the park was opened, FHP members said they would like to organise 1920’s-themed picnics in the park.
While Cardiff Council is not contributing any funding towards the centenary celebrations, it has offered to use its resources to assist the group in other ways, for example, arranging for the Park Ranger to help implement the infrastructure needed for the heritage trail.
A spokesman from Cardiff Council said: “Hailey Park is a really important green space which is highly valued by the local community and we’re pleased to be working closely with the Friends of Hailey Park on plans to celebrate its first 100 years.
“The anniversary will offer a good opportunity for people to explore the park, learn more about it, and maybe even get involved with the Friends of Hailey Park helping us look after and maintain the park.”
The group’s plans are very much in their initial stages, and nothing is confirmed so far. FHP is waiting for funding to be confirmed from a number of sources, including Welsh Water and Transport for Wales.
FHP hopes to have firm plans in place by the end of the year, and are keen for volunteers to come forward.
One resident who attended the meeting said: “We can take back ownership of the park. We can put it on the map.”
