New playground for West Cross and 25 other city parks due upgrades

A brand new play area for West Cross and upgrades for at least 25 others are in the pipeline for communities across Swansea.

Work is due to begin on a new play area this month at a site near the seafront at West Cross, while improvements for existing council play areas in parks from Bonymaen to Ynystawe are also in the pipeline.

Plans for improvement projects at 12 other locations have already gone out to tender and work is due to start on them as soon as final arrangements have been agreed. On top of that at least another nine council-owned play areas have also been earmarked for upgrades.

The planned work is the latest round of improvements planned for community play areas that has already seen transformations at 43 other locations around the city over the last year or so.

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the work is part of a multi-million pound commitment to give every council-owned play area a makeover in the coming two years.

He said: “The pandemic demonstrated just how important free outdoor play areas were for the wellbeing of our children and young people.

“During the crisis they became one of the few places where children could get their exercise safely and friends and families could see each other for a socially-distanced chat.

“So far we’ve committed £5m to our play area fund and communities from Craig Cefn Parc to Loughor and Melin Mynach have seen the benefits.”

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said feedback about the play areas initiative has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Those who’ve benefited so far have told us what a difference it makes and their reaction and that of the children who love the new equipment in their neighbourhood has encouraged the council to continue with its investment in the coming years.

“At West Cross, construction of a new play area on the green between Alderwood Road and Mumbles Road is due to start in June and should be ready for use towards the end of the summer school holidays.”

The new or improved play areas that have been springing up all over Swansea feature equipment chosen in collaboration with local communities.

They range from traditional swings, slides and roundabouts to trampolines, zipwires and climbing frames. Facilities have also been introduced for children with disabilities.

Those sites to have gained new or improved play areas already include Mayhill, Uplands, Llansamlet, Gorseinon, Golden Grove, Heol Frank, Ravenhill Park, Weig Fawr, Cwmbwrla and Coed Bach Park.

Those places where improvement projects are planned include Garnswllt, Heol Tir Du in Morriston, Dunvant Park and Dunvant Meadow, Brooksby Road and Bonymaen Park in Bonymaen, Swansea Point playground, Maesteg Park in St Thomas, Hafod Park and Highmead playground in Mumbles.

(Lead image: Swansea Council)