THREE out of the 10 playgrounds in Merthyr Tydfil that the council is currently making improvements to have been finished.
The council said works on playgrounds in Moy Road, Prospect Place and Edwardsville had recently been completed with the rest due to be completed in around eight weeks.
Merthyr Tydfil Council said it currently managed 51 fixed play areas throughout the county borough and many of these were coming to the end of their useful life and in need of refurbishment.
In March, 2022, full council agreed a capital spend of £518,000 a year over a five-year period to refurbish between five and seven playgrounds a year for the next five years, adding up to a total of £2.5m.
Sites in Trefechan, Gwernllwyn, Castle Park, Oaklands, Thomastown Park, Keir Hardie, Moy Road, Prospect Place, Treharris Park and Edwardsville were selected as part of the council’s annual inspection of play facilities in 2021, with them being prioritised based on factors such as the extent of repairs required, age, condition, realistic lifespan and play value:
These follow the already completed works at Cefn Coed, Twyncarmel, Lewis Street (Bedlinog) and Glantaff Road.
Councillor David Hughes, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “This council recognises the importance of play for the health and wellbeing of children and young people, and for the physical, social, mental, and emotional benefits it gives them, so this investment has been a priority for us.
“I’m delighted to see these plans come to fruition, with Moy Road, Prospect Place and Edwardsville playgrounds recently completed and works on Thomastown Park underway.
“With the rest of the playgrounds due to be complete in around eight weeks, we are well on our way to giving the children of Merthyr Tydfil the improved, modern playgrounds they deserve.”
