#singletonbotanicalgardens — Public Fediverse posts

SWANSEA: Nine parks and green spaces named among the best in Wales — as Botanical Gardens marks its centenary https://www.allforgardening.com/1874912/swansea-nine-parks-and-green-spaces-named-among-the-best-in-wales-as-botanical-gardens-marks-its-centenary/ #BrynmillPark #ClyneGardens #CwmdonkinPark #garden #GreenFlag #KeepWalesTidy #MountPleasant #ParcLlewelyn #PenllergareValleyWoods #SingletonBotanicalGardens #SingletonCampus #SingletonPark #SwanseaCouncil #VictoriaPark

SWANSEA: Nine parks and green spaces named among the best in Wales — as Botanical Gardens marks its centenary https://www.allforgardening.com/1874912/swansea-nine-parks-and-green-spaces-named-among-the-best-in-wales-as-botanical-gardens-marks-its-centenary/ #BrynmillPark #ClyneGardens #CwmdonkinPark #garden #GreenFlag #KeepWalesTidy #MountPleasant #ParcLlewelyn #PenllergareValleyWoods #SingletonBotanicalGardens #SingletonCampus #SingletonPark #SwanseaCouncil #VictoriaPark

SWANSEA: Nine parks and green spaces named among the best in Wales — as Botanical Gardens marks its centenary

Nine of Swansea’s parks and green spaces have once again been named among the best in Wales.

The list spans the whole city. In the west, Clyne Gardens — famous for its spring rhododendron and azalea displays — keeps its flag alongside Brynmill Park and, out at Penllergare Valley Woods, the restored Victorian landscape near junction 47 of the M4.

In and around Singleton Park, both the Botanical and Ornamental Gardens and Swansea University’s Singleton Campus retained their status, as did nearby Cwmdonkin Park — the Uplands green space immortalised by Dylan Thomas.

To the east and north, Victoria Park by the seafront, Parc Llewelyn and the grounds of the former Mount Pleasant Hospital — now housing association flats — complete the nine.

The Green Flag Award is an international mark handed to parks and green spaces that meet the highest standards — judged on being safe, clean, well looked after and welcoming.

The winners were announced today by Keep Wales Tidy, which runs the scheme in Wales with support from the Welsh Government.

A further 13 volunteer-run green spaces across Swansea picked up Green Flag Community Awards — the tier that recognises allotments, community gardens and local nature reserves.

Among them was Kilvey Community Woodland, which earned its first community award last year after decades of volunteer care.

The awards are a repeat success for the city, which saw the same run of parks recognised last year.

Both Penllergare Valley Woods and the Singleton Campus were again given Green Heritage Site Accreditation — a supplementary award, backed by Cadw, for sites that also protect and promote their history.

Keep Wales Tidy said just 14 sites across the whole of Wales hold that heritage accreditation, making two in Swansea a notable haul.

This year’s recognition for the Botanical and Ornamental Gardens carries extra weight, landing as the much-loved gardens mark their 100th birthday.

Owen Derbyshire, chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, said he was delighted to see so many Swansea green spaces recognised, from flagship parks and woodlands to community gardens, farms and a university campus.

“Green spaces play a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our communities,” he said, thanking everyone involved in caring for the sites.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said the city was “blessed with some beautiful parks which we are proud of and work hard to maintain.”

“They all provide a space where families and visitors can relax, have fun and enjoy the outdoors,” he said. “I’m thrilled that these locations have been recognised on a national level.”

He said the accolade for the Botanical Gardens was “especially welcome” in its centenary year, and that free access to parks supported families through the cost of living and helped protect nature across the city.

Keep Wales Tidy said 93 sites across Wales achieved full Green Flag status this year, with Wales holding more Green Flag Community Awards than any other country running the scheme worldwide for the third year running.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

SWANSEA: A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure
The century-old garden marking its centenary this year.

Green Flag flying at Kilvey Community Woodland thanks to decades of volunteer care
How volunteers earned the woodland its first community award.

SWANSEA: A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure https://www.allforgardening.com/?p=1843529 #BotanicalGardens #garden #gardening #SingletonBotanicalGardens #SingletonPark #SwanseaCouncil

SWANSEA: A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure https://www.allforgardening.com/?p=1843529 #BotanicalGardens #garden #gardening #SingletonBotanicalGardens #SingletonPark #SwanseaCouncil

SWANSEA: A green jewel turns 100 — how Singleton’s Botanical Gardens grew from kitchen plot to city treasure

One of Swansea’s best-loved green spaces has turned 100.

The Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park have marked a century since they first opened to the public, with the Lord Mayor unveiling a new centenary panel to mark the milestone.

A hundred years on from opening in 1926, the gardens still draw thousands of visitors a year — a peaceful, free spot to wander, learn and spend time outdoors.

They remain one of the city’s proudest green spaces, in a council parks estate repeatedly recognised with Green Flag awards.

Penny Matthews, Lord Mayor of Swansea, said it had been a pleasure to unveil the panel celebrating 100 years.

“This is a place that has meant so much to so many people over the years, and it is wonderful to see it continuing to thrive,” she said.

She called the gardens “a real success story for Swansea and something the city can be proud of.”

A story that began long before 1926

While the gardens officially opened as the Educational Gardens in 1926, their roots run back much further.

The land was first cultivated under private ownership in 1771, with walled gardens, orchards and glasshouses developed in the early 1800s — producing fruit, vegetables and flowers and earning a name for quality.

In 1847 the Vivian family bought the estate, strengthening its place as a centre of horticulture.

Swansea Council then purchased the estate in 1919 to create public parkland, and much of Singleton Park opened to the public in 1921.

When the Educational Gardens opened five years later, they brought together plants from around the world to inform and engage visitors.

The gardens were renamed the Botanical Gardens in the 1980s and fitted with modern glasshouses.

Praised by Kew from the very start

The gardens drew admirers almost immediately. Council records from June 1926 note that the new garden had been “very much appreciated by the public.”

The parks superintendent of the day, Daniel Bliss, received letters of congratulation from the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and Edinburgh, the Ministry of Agriculture and others — and the committee placed on record its “high appreciation” of his work and that of his assistant, Cyril Marks.

That tradition of horticultural care continues today, with the council’s specialist gardeners tending the site all year round.

A volunteer effort worth £400,000

For the past three decades, the gardeners have been supported by the Friends of Swansea Botanical Gardens, a volunteer-led group set up in 1993.

The Friends have raised more than £400,000 over the years — funding new planting, interpretation panels and community features, and helping keep the gardens open and free to all.

Sonja Olsen, chair of the Friends, said the group was “incredibly proud” to be part of the gardens’ story.

“Our volunteers have given their time over many years to support improvements and keep the gardens looking at their best,” she said.

“This milestone is a chance to celebrate that work and to look ahead so the gardens continue to flourish for future generations.”

Andrew Williams, the council’s cabinet member for development, said the anniversary highlighted the history and heritage of the city’s parks.

He said the gardens played an important role in a wider vision of “creating welcoming places that support wellbeing, learning and a strong sense of community.”

The Botanical Gardens remain free to enter and open year-round in Singleton Park.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea Bay parks recognised among world’s best with Green Flag awards
Dozens of parks and green spaces across the area honoured for their quality.

Public asked for views on Singleton Park improvement plan
Park users invited to shape the future of Swansea’s largest park.

Swansea student digs in as Aberglasney unveils new bursary recruits
A Swansea trainee swaps café shifts for a career in horticulture.