Also see Trelewis photographs section of the website for more and Parc Taf Bargoed photographs by Ray Locke.
The Taf Bargoed millennium park is built on the site of three former collieries, Taff Merthyr, Deep Navigation and the Trelewis drift mine. It is now a place of natural beauty, a far cry from the last century when the area was scarred by the mine workings.It is a place for everyone to enjoy.
Rod Barrar was the driving force behind the whole project setting up the Taff Bargoed Development trust (TBDT) a registered charity, established in 1995 following the demise of the coal industry. Three mines closed and rendered thousands of people jobless for years to come. Rod Barrar, 48, died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Banc-Y-Felin, High Street, Trelewis. Many good people kept the work going and he would surely be very proud of the Park thesedays, a fitting legacy of what he started.
Glynys Kinnock visited the project in the early days here she is during the visit seen with Rod Barrar, Eleanor, D Massey and Jamie
Early days and work starting on the climbing centre (thanks to Carol Smith for these photographs)
Leighton Smart to the right local councillor right behind the project
This set of photographs are credited to June Morgan and show the site at the commencement of the works and the first year of the development.
Work about to start on the Park
Work has began on the site
A new bridge being constructed
Above we see how the river was once buried below the colliery surface
Viaduct almost gone
Tempory road layout between Treharris and Trelewis
Below we see a collection of aerial photographs expertly taken by Gwyn Jenkins(Pontypool) during the summer 2016
Above we see 5 photographs from above of the Lakes.
The two photos above are of the reeds, they naturally turn the brown pit water into clear water before it enters the lakes.
Many volunteers from the borough and beyond help keep the park clean and safe for visitors. Merthyr college and the keep Wales tidy organisation are often seen at the park, cleaning and maintaining the area, they also encourage wildlife to flourish there. There are also wardens based at the park.
During 2010, Merthyr Tydfil College ran a Biodiversity project at Taff Bargoed Park with Project Officer, Paul Kent from Keep Wales Tidy.
20 students from Merthyr Tydfil College’s Construction Training Centre designed and built bat nesting boxes funded by Paddy McNally from Communities First.
Working in partnership to help the environment, a group from the Neighbourhood Learning Centre and Bridges into Work helped Merthyr Tydfil College Work Based Learning Students place the boxes that will help sustain bat communities along the Taff Bargoed River.
There is a fishing club, a canoe club and a tourist information centre based at the park.
Joy Powell , one of the co ordinators kindly sent me the following pictures of our wonderful park and some of the volunteers at work
Above we see part of the reed system that cleans the old pit water, see how dirty it looks?
The water passes through the reeds
Some of the volunteers looking at the dirty pit water before it travels through the reed beds
Above we see the bat boxes after they have been made at the centre which is based on the site of the old Trelewis drift mine.
Bat boxes ready to be placed high in the trees
Above a volunteer places the bat box in the tree
Below we see the volunteers clearing rubbish from the lakes
Two of the volunteers are Trelewis lads, the Jeremiah twins from the Shingrig estate, helping to keep our community safe and clean.
Above we see how clean the water is after passing through the reed beds…2009 looking back towards Trelewis.
Looking up towards Bedlinog
Fishing on the lake
A winters day
A stunning photograph by Thomas Williams
Around the lakes you will see markings showing where the coal seems were mined many meters below ground.
During 2013 work was done to tidy up the entrance to the Parkk from Treharris
New commemorative design added plus new steps and a ramp for easier access to the Park
We can now see a collection of Robert Amos photographs of the area before it was developed summer 1999
The next four show the building of the Pavilion visitor centre
Above Looking towards the old Taff pit and Trelewis drift offices
Above The start of the water preparation process at the Parc
At the top of the Parc near the Drift and Taff Merthyr pit, early work
The small foot path bridge below the Treharris RFC
A new bridge constructed behind Warren terrace
Top of Treharris Colliery looking towards Trelewis
Above we see construction of bridge linking Trelewis and Treharris
Above we see another picture construction of bridge linking Trelewis and Treharris
The border bridge March 2014
Preparing for the new Tunnel
Where the river once went underground
The next two pictures are courtesy of Leighton Smart, the show the area before 1990
A coal train meanders towards Taff Merthyr colliery, this photograph from 1991 was taken from Pricilla Terrace.
The entrance to the parc between Edwards Terrace and the High Street
Above we see construction of the climbing wall on the site of the Trelewis Drift offices.
Finally two photographs below taken by Roger Vowles high above the old Taff Merthyr colliery site on the mountain road.2010
