The Friends of the Italian Gardens marked the 100th anniversary of the seafront Italian Gardens, which first opened in 1926.
Mark Robinson, leader of the group, praised volunteers and work experience students from Ysgol Y Deri who have been hard at work completing the restoration and upkeep of ‘the garden by the sea’.
The mayor of Penarth, Emma Richards, attended the event on March 28.
She was invited to plant a Centenary Rose and unveiled a commemorative plaque honouring the garden’s original creators.
A raffle was held to raise funds for the voluntary Friends group, with prizes donated by Shepard Sharpe, Tesco Supermarket, and Crop Shop 2 Hairdressers.
Sid’s Restaurant provided refreshments for all attendees.
The gardens, also known as Beach Rock Gardens, New Rock Garden and Promenade Garden, were designed as a rock garden and still retains its original layout and planting structure.
The park is CADW-listed as grade II and was designed by Ursula Thompson, the first woman to graduate from Kew Gardens.
Refurbishments were carried out in 1994, focusing mainly on the railings.
