Eight more communities set for play area upgrades as Swansea Council’s £5m makeover project gathers pace

Plans have been agreed for upgrades for the play areas at Swansea Point, Maesteg Park in St Thomas and Ynysnewydd Park in Sketty.

Work has just started on upgrades in Brokesby Road, Bonymaen, Highmead play area in Newton, Ynystawe playground in Morriston and Dunvant Meadow and Dunvant Park.

And improvements have also recently been completed at Hafod Park and Garnswllt play area in Mawr as well as at Denver Road, Fforestfach, and Heol Tir Du in Morriston.

Brokesby Road, Highmead, Ynystawe and Dunvant are also set to see a selection of play equipment introduced including disability-friendly roundabouts, new surfaces, swings, slides and trampolines.

Maesteg Park is due to get more swings, a SpaceNet climbing frame and a roundabout as part of the upgrade located near the skateboarding half-pipe while new facilities at Ynysnewydd will include a zip line, balance beams and a frame scrambler. Swansea Point will see a roundabout and climbing unit added to existing attractions.

Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said the latest round of planned improvements follow on from the transformation of nearly 50 other play areas around the city over the last year or so with more in the pipeline.

And he said feedback about the initiative has been overwhelmingly positive.

He added: “Completing the programme of improving council-owned play areas is one of the council’s policy commitments. I’m delighted that so much progress is being made so quickly.”

“New or improved play areas springing up all over Swansea feature equipment chosen in collaboration with local communities. Facilities can range from traditional swings, slides and roundabouts to trampolines, zip wires and climbing frames.”

Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “The pandemic demonstrated just how important free outdoor play areas were for the wellbeing of our children and young people. Communities from Craig Cefn Parc to Loughor and West Cross have seen the benefits.”

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

(Lead image: Swansea Council)