Project makes playgrounds greener and cooler

School playgrounds in North Cardiff are among those set to become greener, cooler and more resilient to climate change as part of a programme to create climate-adaptive learning spaces for pupils.

The Healthy Playground project aims to transform school grounds in areas most vulnerable to climate impacts such as overheating, flooding and biodiversity loss.

Pupils at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan working in the garden (Photo: Cardiff Council)

Gabalfa Primary School and Glyncoed Primary School in Pentwyn are among five Cardiff schools initially earmarked for the project, which is a partnership between environmental charity Trees for Cities and Cardiff Council as part of the city's One Planet Cardiff response to climate change.

The climate-adaptive ‘Healthy Playground’ programme builds on a successful five-year partnership between Cardiff Council and Trees for Cities that has already seen transformative green spaces introduced to 40 school playgrounds.

The first transformation has already been completed at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan in Cathays, where sections of traditional hard-surfaced playground have been replaced with a more natural, climate change-resilient environment, which is better for outdoor learning, play and wellbeing.

Head teacher at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan, Glesni Lloyd, said: “It’s a fantastic addition to the school that benefits the children in so many different ways. At break times when it’s hot, you might find them simply enjoying the shade from the trees, but it’s also a great teaching aid.

"The children love learning outdoors and it’s helping our staff deliver science lessons in new and exciting ways that get them really enthused and engaged. Plus, they love helping to plant and grow all the different vegetables and herbs – that’s a life skill that will stay with them forever.”

Features of the space at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan include trees to provide shade, a Mediterranean garden planted with species that will continue to thrive as our climate gets hotter, raised planting areas for growing herbs and vegetables, wildlife-friendly habitats, as well as a wormery and a rainwater harvesting system.

At other selected schools where playgrounds are prone to flooding, designs have been created that include ‘rain gardens’ to provide sustainable drainage solutions.

Cardiff Council funding for the project comes from its One Planet Cardiff Capital Fund which supports innovative climate-related projects across all areas.

Previous projects supported through the fund include: a rainwater harvesting system for the greenhouses in Bute Park Nurseries, secure cycle parking facilities in the city centre, and making thermal imaging cameras available to borrow from Cardiff’s libraries so that residents can identify heat loss in their homes.