New look for Victoria Gardens children’s play area is completed

The refreshed play area now features new safety surfacing throughout and time-worn benches have been replaced with more robust seating made of recycled material. 

New equipment includes a mini basket swing and an inclusive Crocodile Springie, a Curlicue Rotator and sensory play panels. 

A funding package for the project came from Neath Port Talbot Council’s Additional Works Programme Equipped Play Area Refurbishment Fund. 

Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetscene, Cllr Scott Jones, said: “Equipment was chosen with inclusivity in mind, given the easy access into the amenity and its popularity as the play area at the heart of Neath Town Centre. “

Contractors started work on site on 30 October 2023 and the work was completed within two weeks. 

The council said that expansion of the play area had to be limited as Victoria Gardens, officially opened in 1897, is a Grade II listed park on the Cadw/ ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales. 

(Lead image: Neath Port Talbot Council)

Author

Kit Peters

Kit Peters is a journalist and the editor of Swansea Bay News, covering Swansea, Neath Port Talbot and Carmarthenshire since 2020.