On 8th January the First Minister announced an extension of COVID alert level 4 for a further 3 weeks. This means that the current restrictions at our Discovery Gateways and other parks and green spaces will remain in place and the activities planned for the VRP Guardians will not go ahead at least until the next Government review.
Most of the outdoor green spaces remain open and have provided many of us with the opportunity to get outside for exercise. Exercise is important for physical and mental health and we are fortunate in the Valleys that these green spaces are close to our homes so we are able to use them while adhering to the requirement for exercise to start and finish at home.
If you are visiting one of the Discovery Gateways, please visit the venue’s own website and social media channels to check before you go as some facilities and activities within the parks may not be available. If you are using a local park or green space please follow the guidance, respect others and stay safe.
On the 29th of March 2023, Valleys Regional Park (VRP) and Groundwork Wales celebrated that its network of community volunteers — the Guardians — have completed nearly 10,000* hours of voluntary work over the last three years.
To commemorate this achievement — as well as the 399,497 sq. metres of land improved by the green volunteers* — a special ceremonial event was hosted.
VRP is bringing together a network of twelve urban and country parks and nature reserves — also known as ‘Discovery Gateways’ — as part of a project to establish a permanent regional park for the South Wales Valleys. Regional parks can be found both in the UK and internationally, providing recreational and wellbeing opportunities for […]
We’re so proud of how much our Valleys Regional Park Guardians Scheme — delivered by Groundwork Wales — has achieved since May 2021. From environmental training and workshops to land improvement across our Discovery Gateways and working in partnership with the Big Bocs Bwyd programme — the impact on the community and local environment has […]
On Thursday 02 December, a brand-new education and wellbeing centre was officially unveiled by Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden MS at Bryngarw Country Park.