Temporary pop-up park set to boost city nature

Projects such as the planned development of Castle Square will benefit from the temporary pop-up park that's being installed in front of the Iceland supermarket in the former St David's Shopping Centre.

The pop-up, being created by Swansea Council as a mechanism to demonstrate some future urban planting options, will be a boost for health and well-being and will improve the area's biodiversity.

Council leader Rob Stewart said: "We plan a number of major city centre developments over the coming years - and we want them to reflect our aim for a greener and more biodiverse city.

"This temporary pop-up is close to the site of future developments such as Swansea Central North, Castle Square and a new services hub at the former BHS building.

"It'll influence them and other key projects as it'll be used to trial a wide variety of pollinator-friendly plants and nature-based solutions."

The pop-up park, being installed now, is being delivered by the council in partnership with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature Challenge Fund.

It will feature more than 40 wooden planters with a variety of themes.

The planters will have integral seating. There will be trees and, in due course, green-roofed cycle shelters. Once Swansea Central North is developed, the pop-up's greenery will be relocated elsewhere in Swansea.

Fran Rolfe, senior green infrastructure officer with Natural Resources Wales, said: "With a nature emergency declared in Wales, it's more important than ever to do everything we can to help protect our biodiversity, encouraging it to flourish, especially in urban areas such as Swansea city centre."

Climate Change Minister Julie James said: "The pandemic has given us all a greater appreciation of nature and its importance on our health and mental wellbeing. This pop-up park is a fantastic, innovative way for people from all backgrounds and abilities to learn how these green spaces are important for their communities as well as nature."

Council cabinet member Andrew Stevens said: "The temporary pop-up park is designed to inspire future developments to include more nature."

Photo: Park ranger Rachel Alderman prepares some greenery due to become part of the city centre's new temporary pop-up park.