Issue 160

Students give Brynmill Park a makeover

19th November 2007

Brynmill Park is set to receive a transformation and facelift with help from the University's Conservation Society.

The society is working alongside the Parks Department of Swansea Council with their main priority being the improvement of the lake. Work on Wednesday 9 November on the regeneration of the lake and is said to be going well.

Activities that have been set to work towards improving the lake include; lily planting, creating a floating island and reed planting. It is hoped that all of these things will help to purify the water to make it a cleaner environment and attract more wildlife.

The lake has numerous residents, such as a large stock of fish and wildfowl including swans, ducks and moorhens. In the lead up to Christmas students will be at the park each week getting involved in the many activities and jobs that are set to be done. Activities planned for the future involve reed planting on 28 November at 2p m and extra reed planting is scheduled for 12 December.

President of the Conservation Society, Katharine Lane commented that, "Being so close to University volunteers can just pop up to help out in between their lectures...We hope that our work is making a difference and it's nice to give something back to the community of Swansea."

The Conservation Society is planning various activities around Swansea to help improve and protect the local environment. With more than 100 members currently, their work should have a big impact on the local area, including the National Trust in the Gower Peninsula.

Brynmill Park Lake was originally opened in 1837 as a reservoir, until it was transformed into the park following the closure of the reservoir in 1866. The park provided recreational activities such as fishing for local residents in Swansea and is still used for leisure by local residents today.

The Parks Department's Katie Tuite-Dalton explained why she decided to get in touch with students following a Lottery Fund grant in 2006: "We felt it could be a fantastic opportunity for University students and the local community to get involved." She also commented on the work of the students saying, "Their first visit was a complete success, they worked really hard."

Laura Farham