Hamadryad Park

Hamadryad Park takes its name from the seamen's hospital ship HMS Hamadryad which was moored nearby from 1866 until 1905. The hospital ship was replaced by a permanent building, the Royal Hamadryad Hospital, which opened on 29th June 1905. This was absorbed into the National Health Service in 1947.[1]

1900 Ordnance Survey map showing the position of the Hamadryad ship

1900 OS map showing the position of the Hamadryad ship

1920 Ordnance Survey map showing the position of the Hamadryad Hospital building

1920 OS map showing the position of the Hamadryad Hospital building

Hamadryad Seamen's Hospital from an unposted postcard

Hamadryad Seamen's Hospital from an unposted postcard

In 1959 there was a proposal to create a recreational open space near the hospital by reclamation of approximately 10.8 acres of foreshore. The scheme involved construction of an embankment and parapet as well as other works, all estimated to cost £99,000.[2] An application for grant funding was unsuccessful and the proposal went no further.[3]

In 1965 the Council was in the process of acquiring three plots of land adjoining Hamadryad Hospital to create a public open space.[4] This land was still awaiting development in 1969 when the Director of Parks reported that the laying out of the area would take place as and when funds were available.[5]

The first Hamadryad Park was laid out during the 1970s, a small park immediately adjacent to the eastern boundary of the hospital and linking with Burt Street. It can be seen on a 1979 aerial photograph.[6] A 1981 aerial photograph shows a grass area with a running track marked out for school sports, and a narrow tarmaced area with playground equipment.[8] In a 1991 aerial photograph the playground is enlarged, with a wood bark surface, but the grass field appears smaller.[8]

Aerial photograph Hamadryad Park July 1981

Aerial photograph Hamadryad Park July 1981

Aerial photograph Hamadryad Park July 1991

Aerial photograph Hamadryad Park July 1991

Most of this original Hamadryad Park no longer exists, that space having been allocated for building development following the major extension to the park in the early 2000s. There remains a footpath from Hunter Street into the present day park which crosses the original park. Arising from the work of the Cardiff Bay Development Corporation (CBDC), newly made-up land was created from the salt marsh and mudflats. After the CBDC was disolved on 31st March 2000, the present-day Hamadryad Park was funded and laid out by the Cardiff Council, with help from a European Regional Development Grant.[9]

Hamadryad Park now consists mainly of playing fields and open grassland, with some tree planting that includes Hybrid poplars.[10][11] Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' (Callery pear trees) were planted c.2021. There is a large playground close to the local houses. (The Cardiff Bay Wetlands nature reserve is located to the south east.)

Sources of information

  1. JF Mayberry, The Hamadryad Hospital Ship for Seamen, 1866-1905. British Medical Journal, volume 281 pages 1690-1692, 20-27 December 1980
  2. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 17th July 1959
  3. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 26th October 1959
  4. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 12th July 1965
  5. Meeting of the Parks, Baths and Cemeteries Committee 17th February 1969
  6. Welsh Government Ordnance Survey OS79_129 image 101
  7. Welsh Government JAS SGlam 3281 image 94a
  8. Welsh Government Cardiff Vale of Glamorgan Newport 160_91 image 0009
  9. Personal communication (MC)
  10. Hamadryad Park from Parks and Gardens UK
  11. Personal communication (TD)

Other sources: