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.

Children enjoying the new play equipment at Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has been upgraded as part of Swansea Council’s £8 million play area investment programme. Image: Swansea Council

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.”

Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden (background left) and Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Cllr Hayley Gwilliam (background right) with local schoolchildren at the upgraded play area at Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach. Image: Swansea Council

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.

Cai Bosch, Manager of the West French Skate Shop in Mumbles at Mumbles Skatepark (Image: Rob Kenning)

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.”

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Families celebrate first new play area at Parc Gwernfadog in 25 years

The site, located on land behind Morriston Comprehensive School, offers a vibrant mix of equipment for toddlers and juniors. Features include a slide built into the bank, cradle and flat‑seat swings, and a dish roundabout designed so children of all abilities can join in.

The playground is part of Swansea Council’s £8 million programme to transform dozens of play areas across the city. While Parc Gwernfadog has gained its first new facility in a generation, other parks in Morriston and nearby communities have also been refurbished under the scheme.

The new slide at Parc Gwernfadog has been built into the bank as part of the revamped play area.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Community‑shaped design

Council Leader Rob Stewart said the investment was about creating safe and inclusive spaces across Swansea:

“We’re investing in a new generation of play areas to give children all across Swansea the chance to enjoy safe, fun and inclusive spaces in their communities.”

The design of the Parc Gwernfadog site was shaped by feedback from local families and councillors. Councillor Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, added:

“We want children to have the best possible start in life and that includes having access to safe and fun places to play.”

Built to last

Children can test their balance and strength on the new climbing pole and rope equipment.
(Image: Swansea Council)

The council says that all equipment has been selected for durability, safety and accessibility, with robust materials and a layout that encourages imaginative play and social interaction.

The playground was installed by Dragon Play, which has delivered a number of new parks across Swansea.

Other Morriston‑area improvements

In addition to Parc Gwernfadog, several other playgrounds in and around Morriston have recently been upgraded as part of the council’s programme. These include:

• Llansamlet Playground
• Llangyfelach Playground
• Morriston Park Playground (phase 1)
• Craig Cefn Parc Playground
• Heol Tir Du Playground
• DFS (Nixon Terrace) Playground
• Parc Llewelyn Playground
• Tregof Village Playground

New cradle and flat‑seat swings have been installed to cater for children of different ages.
(Image: Swansea Council)

Part of a city‑wide programme

Beyond Morriston, the £8m investment has already delivered improvements at sites such as Victoria Park in St Helen’s, Knoyle Playground in Penlan, Parc yr Helig in Birchgrove, Bracelet Bay in Mumbles, and many more across Swansea.

Further projects are under construction or planned, including Long Ridge in Mayhill, Mynydd Newydd in Penderry, and Trallwn in Llansamlet.

Council leaders say the aim is to ensure every community benefits from modern, inclusive play facilities, with designs shaped by feedback from local families and councillors.

Funding for the project was provided by Swansea Council. More information on playground improvements across the city is available at www.swansea.gov.uk/newplaygrounds.

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