Welcome to our website

The measure of any great civilisation is in its cities, and a measure of a city’s greatness is to be found in the quality of its public spaces, its parks and its squares.  John Ruskin
Take a look around the menu bar and dropdown menus to find out more about what we do, how you can help, and what Hailey Park is all about. Whether its becoming a member, volunteering, biodiversity, what's on, lost dogs, or local area info surrounding the park and the weather, you'll find it in this website.
Sunday 6 April, 1–4pm: help needed on the park
Meet: Car park 12.45–1pm (Join in at any time (call 07836532258: to find out where we are if you can’t find us)). You only need to work at your own pace as every little bit helps. Everyone welcome (children need to be accompanied by an adult and any friends or family who want to come along don’t need to be members of FoHP to take part) – any activities we do will be suitable for all abilities. Tools provided for any projects we do (including gloves) but wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. Free refreshments available.
Membership
Still only £3! Your membership of FoHP is valuable not just to the group but to projects on Hailey Park that will benefit everyone. Did you know you can now pay using Paypal
Please keep a lookout for Meg - she is still missing!
She went missing on 15 March on the park. Meg is microchipped and much missed by her owners.
Please contact 07984 763030. If you can, please stop her and keep her with you until owners arrive or take her to a safe place where she can't get out again.

You can also follow her story on Facebook or Doglost. Please help her owners get her back soon.


New bin
After several years of use our dustbin next to the Ty Mawr Road entrance has at last been replaced by a council bin (now moved a little further over) – this is because the council realise there is a need for a bin in that part of the park. However, we’d like to thank the Council for doing this.
Fly tipping
There have been a couple of instances of fly tipping on the park recently, which thankfully have been cleared up quickly by the council. These were dumped close to the meadow area by vehicle.
If anyone sees any fly tipping, please get in touch with Cardiff Council at C2C c2c@cardiff.gov.uk or Tel. 029 2087 2087. It is a serious environmental crime and is classed as anti-social behavior.
Forthcoming events
June: Summer Fair & Fun Dog Show
July: (1) Let’s go Batty! and (2) Bugs & Blooms
Nov: (1) History & Folklore of the Trees (walk) and (2) Willow Lantern Workshop
Jan 2015: Walk off Christmas
Please keep looking in the local press, park notice boards, our website, & twitter for confirmation of dates & times & details of other park events.
Saturday 3 May–Sunday 11 May: Cardiff Walking Festival
Outdoor Cardiff will be promoting and celebrating all the great work provided by the large variety of organisations and community groups who offer walks in Cardiff. Timetable still to be confirmed for all walks around the Cardiff area of all types and suitable for all sorts of abilities – a great way to see different parts of the area and get fit.
Watch this space or come along and help us, as FoHP are proposing to run 2 walks during the festival, including an orienteering walk (provisionally on 10 May), which will be fun for everyone.
Hidden woods: a graceful, punchy reminder of the power of natural places
 This video (words by Hollie McNish, video by film maker Ben Dowden) stopped me short with its power and rhythm, and the interplay between words and images. … MORE

This article (from Rethinking Childhood, 10 March 2014) and video are also reminders of why outdoor spaces like Hailey Park are so important.
Damage to meadow
Pylon work has now been completed by Western Power Distribution and their contractor, which has resulted in damage to part of the meadow.
This has now been acknowledged and the contractor has attempted to rectify the situation by repairing some of the damage they did in their work and they and WPD have given FoHP a donation for projects on the park.
A small section may be sectioned off to allow the wetland part of the meadow to regenerate on its own; however, this will not impede your enjoyment of the park in any way.
The path at the top of the meadow will also be redone at some point to stop it flooding.
Long road ahead for cycling boost in Wales
... and looking for other means of cycling than just through parks ... MORE
North Cardiff Community Route
In September 2011, Cardiff Council approved a plan for the development of Cardiff’s Strategic Cycle Network, which incorporates the North Cardiff Community Route. The North Cardiff Community Route is a traffic-free walking and cycling route between Llanishen and Thornhill. The route makes local shops, schools, workplaces and public transport more accessible by foot or by bike.

The long-term plan is eventually to link the route to the Taff Trail. MORE

For the consultation - Deadline for submission of comments is 13 December 2013 MORE


Please support Llanishen Reservoir
Not in our area but a valuable asset for wildlife and recreation. The reservoirs have now been bought by Celsa UK and the best way forward is it refill and allow public access to Llanishen Reservoir
We’ve recently achieved the Green Flag Community Award for 2013/2014 for our meadow project, which we couldn’t have done without your help!
Sundays once a month
Forget weight machines, treadmills and exercise bikes, if you want to keep fit, head for Hailey Park one Sunday afternoon. Its free and keeps you fit with a purpose ... MORE

Its time to go out again this weekend (Sun 23 June, 2-5pm). Please come along and help us to improve Hailey Park, whether its increasing biodiversity, or making the park litter free or painting benches.
Now is the time ...
We're still hoping to increase our membership numbers this year (download from HERE). It's still only £3 to join and the more members we have, the more money we can get in grants for projects on the park ... MORE
Cart Road 52 Bridge & ‘Pathways Project’
The old disused rail bridge over the River Taff at Hailey Park in Llandaff North (Cart Road 52) is now open for public use. The official opening will be on Friday 19 July at 10am by the Lord Mayor.
More details re bridge HERE. Pathways leading from the bridge will be upgraded for walkers and cyclists. More details HERE.
No freedom to play or explore outside for children
Today's children spend a fraction of their free time outdoors – what a pity, says Patrick Barkham in the Guardian Saturday 13 July 2013

Ivy and Albie arrive home from school and nursery, and slip through David and Katie Bond's kitchen straight out of the back door. After about 15 minutes, Albie, who is four, reappears, fist clenched. "Guess what I've got in my hands?" he asks. "Is it a worm?" guesses Helen, his grandmother.

"Do you want to hold it?" offers Albie, opening his hand to reveal a tiny, sand-covered worm. "We've made a horrible mess out there."

This hardly seems an exceptional scene, but it may be increasingly rare, and radical, for families today. Read more ...
Why the state of nature matters
(From RSPB website)
For the first time ever, the UK’s wildlife organisations have joined forces to undertake a health check of nature in the UK and its Overseas Territories. Working side-by-side, 25 wildlife organisations have compiled stock take of all our native wildlife. The report reveals that 60 per cent of the species studied have declined over recent decades. More than one in ten of all the species assessed are under threat of disappearing from our shores altogether. However, the report illustrates that targeted conservation has produced inspiring success stories and, with sufficient determination, resources and public support, we can turn the fortunes of our wildlife around. More info about this report is HERE & HERE. Also, see 'Why the state of nature matters'.

Bad weather should not be an excuse for not going outdoors!
(Reblogged from Love Oudoor Play)
Our children’s best memories of playing outdoors include careering down a muddy hill on an old bin bag, snowball fights, splashing in muddy puddles, running around in torrential summer rain and drinking hot chocolate in their den on an icy night winter picnic. You may be surprised that most of these activities weren’t done on a perfect sunny day but on cold or wet days when most of us would probably choose to stay indoors. Read more ...
In praise of stone skimming
(Reblogged from Huffington Post from article by Mike Collins, National Trust)
Whatever your age the sense of build up and anticipation is the same. You strive to do the best you can and find the best tools to help you reach your goal. The location and prevailing elements can have a major influence on whether you succeed or fail. If you're too confident you might over cook your effort while being too casual or cautious will lead you down the cul-de-sac of no hope. Getting the balance and temperament right is a vital ingredient to success. Read more ...
Theft of railings
Someone has stolen railings from the toddler play area on the park. If anyone has any info please let local police know or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511.
Zero tolerance for dog fouling
Cardiff Council and South Wales Police have joined forces to tackle dog waste on our streets and parks. MORE ...
Cycling in Parks 2012 Report
The ‘Cycling in Cardiff's Parks’ Task and Finish inquiry report is now available for download (pdf file) HERE.

Love Outdoor Play,
Love Hailey Park
Wherever you see a Love Outdoor Play sticker or symbol, you’ll find people who welcome play and are looking out for young people.
You can now pay your membership by Paypal - Still only £3!!
... and/or donate to our Friend's group