SWANSEA: Council announces £11m investment in play areas and wheeled sports facilities

The investment was highlighted during a visit by Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, to Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has benefited from both schemes.

£8m Play Area Programme Since Pandemic

The council says it has invested around £8 million in creating or refurbishing over 80 community play areas since 2021. The project was supported by an additional £5 million in Welsh Government funding this year to help create inclusive and accessible play spaces, according to the council.

At Coed Gwilym Park, the funding has helped secure a wheelchair seesaw and a wheelchair trampoline, which are currently under construction. A new natural play area and a zipwire are also being added.

Welsh Government Minister Dawn Bowden said:

“It was great to visit Coed Gwilym Park and see how the local authority has been listening to the voices of children in developing play spaces. These improvements, supported by Welsh Government funding, will make a real difference to children and their families, providing opportunities to play and be active with friends.”

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the programme was inspired by the pandemic.

“When we came out of the pandemic, the council made a commitment to modernise community play areas that’s seen more than 80 of them improved over the last five years. It means no child is far from a local, safe place to play outdoors with their friends.”

£3m Wheeled Sports Investment

The council has also announced a £3 million investment to upgrade facilities for BMX, skateboarding, and other wheeled sports.

New plans announced by the council include:

• Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach: Dirt track and jumps
• Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais: Dirt track
• Morriston Park: Pump track
• Heol Las Park, Birchgrove: Pump track
• Maesteg Park, St Thomas: Pump track
• Ynystawe Park: Skate park
• SA1 Prince of Wales Docks: Pump track
• A new regional skate park (location to be confirmed)

The council says upgrade work has already been completed on a new skatepark at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and a skatepark at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“We’re determined to make Swansea one of the best places in Wales for wheeled sports, and today’s announcement of further new locations shows the scale of our ambition. Our long-term aim is to create a connected, inclusive and high-quality network of wheeled sports facilities that support healthier lifestyles, youth engagement and stronger communities across Swansea.”

A public forum to discuss the plans will be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, February 25, from 5pm to 6.30pm, according to the council.

Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:

“The feedback we’ve had from children, their families and communities has been tremendous. The investment is one of the largest and most sustained commitments to outdoor play areas of this kind anywhere in the UK.”

Councils to get £5m funding boost to make playgrounds fun-tastic

The Welsh Government say the extra £5m, to be shared across local authorities, will allow the purchase of items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces.

When considering their proposals, local authorities are being asked to gather the views of people including children and their families on play provision in their area; consider play opportunities that are inclusive and encourage all children to play and meet together, and improve access and safety.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: “By working closely with local authorities, we’re helping to ensure children in Wales have access to safe and engaging places to play, particularly in areas where families may face additional challenges.

“Our £5m investment in these vital community assets is more than just improving playgrounds. It’s about investing in our children’s development and wellbeing – and building stronger, better-connected communities across Wales.”

This funding was secured through the budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

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