Cardiff schools create climate-adapted playgrounds

“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 increasingly 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.

Following the transformation, local charity Grow Cardiff is using the space at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan to deliver regular hands-on sessions that help pupils learn about food growing, biodiversity and climate action. These sessions form part of a wider engagement programme that combines the physical improvements with workshops, teacher training and learning resources linked to the Welsh curriculum.

Councillor Dan De’Ath, Cardiff Council cabinet member for climate change, strategic planning and transport, who visited Ysgol Mynydd Bychan recently to see the transformation, said: “Our children and young people will experience the effects of climate change more than any previous generation, so it is vital that we help our schools adapt while giving pupils opportunities to learn about the challenges ahead and the practical steps they can take – like growing and eating more locally grown food – to reduce their carbon footprint and help create a One Planet Cardiff.”

Head of programme development at Trees for Cities, Carys Alder, added: “The transformation at Ysgol Mynydd Bychan shows what’s possible when strong partnerships turn ambition into action. Together with Cardiff Council, Grow Cardiff and the school community, we’ve transformed a tarmacked playground into a greener, climate-adapted space that inspires outdoor learning and strengthens children’s connection to nature. 

“We hope this builds momentum for more climate-adaptive playgrounds across Cardiff helping to deliver lasting change that will benefit today’s pupils and generations to come.”

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