Play Area Investment Update

Over £100,000 has already been invested in refurbishing and improving the county borough’s playgrounds for the benefit of its youngest residents – and the works continue as part of the £700,000 investment. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As the Easter holidays draw near, children will be able to play, have fun and burn off their half-term energy at a range of improved play facilities, thanks to an investment initiative that began with the impressive Lido Play at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park last year. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Playgrounds are just one of the key areas that have been identified to benefit from £23m investment in priority areas in the coming years. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Culture, said: “The significant investment in play areas across the county borough is providing new or improved equipment for our children and young people to enjoy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Children in Rhondda Cynon Taf have the right to play in safe and well-maintained play areas, as set out in our Play Strategy. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“As well as offering great fun for them and their friends, outdoor play allows them to be creative, enjoy fresh air and benefit from physical activity and exercise. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Our parks are also free of charge to enjoy, offering families the chance to enjoy a cost-free morning or afternoon out, playing in the park and perhaps enjoying a picnic when the weather is nicer.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Work completed to date includes: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

• A new multi play unit at Brynteg Play Area in Trealaw – an investment of £15,000
• Multi play area at Abercynon Sports Centre play area – an investment of £17,000
• A new play unit and toddler three-way see-saw at Taff’s Well Park – total investment £18,000
• Additional swings at Darran Park – total investment £8,000
• Added equipment for all age groups at Aberdare Park, including reinstalling the net climber and multi play units for toddlers and juniors, as well as a roundabout that can be used by wheelchair users at Aberdare Park.
• The access and entrances to the park have been improved.
• The rubber safety surfacing at Ynyshir Oval has been renewed and a new see-saw and spinner out (suitable for use by wheelchair users) and improved the access ways and entrances- total investment £20,000
• Heol Y Twyn in Ynyshir has also benefited from renewed tarmac and rubber flooring and a general tidy up – total investment £24,000.
• Installation of toddler equipment including slide, swings and spinning pole at Mount Pleasant Park in Beddau – total investment £19,000.

Ongoing works continue at Dan Y Cribyn in Ynysybwl to improve the facilities there, in a £21,000 investment scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​