What's Happening At Porthkerry?
The country park has recently been successful in applying for
and gaining grant aid to carry out a range of projects. The
grant-aided work can range from refurbishment to buildings and
infrastructure to conservation and environmental projects.
New Log Cabin 
The park has
been lucky this year to recieve funding from the Barry Regeneration
Fund to consruct a new log cabin called the Forest Lodge. The log
cabin wll greatly enhance the facilities that the park has to offer
and provide a base for lots of new activities, for example, arts
and craft activity sessions and bird box making. Work is due to
start on the base of the cabin at the beginning of January, with
the log cabin being completed by the end of March.
Photo shows a similar but smaller cabin that was built for a
small charity in Cowbridge by the same contractor.
New Play Area
The park was lucky last year to recieve funding
from the Barry Regeneration Fund to construct a wonderful new play
area and new car parking spaces. The play area has been
a fantastic success and is attracting lots of families to the
park.
Play Area Before Work
Started
Play Area during construction
Play Area ready for action
Learning Through Play
The country park has recieved funding this year from the
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) to
develop Porthkerry Country Park as
a site for learning through play, focussing on the Foundation
Phase.
We are building on resources we already
offer to schools and aim to provide new resources for local
schools who visit the park that will allow local children to
participate in experiential learning activities, like den making,
woodland art and crafts, bush craft and traditional
environmental education activities like bug hunting.
The resources that we are
able to offer includes things like creating a resource
box available for schools to use on a visit that contain materials
for den making, tools suitable for young children to use, bug
boxes, arts and craft materials, as well as storage and wet weather
clothing and shelter.
As well as being available for schools these
resources will also be available for the local community through
activity sessions and other user groups e.g. beavers, scouts,
Wildlife Watch groups. For more information contact the ranger
service on 01446 733589 or email porthkerry@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk