UP to 15 communities are set to see upgraded play areas built for local children as part of a £7m pioneering Swansea Council programme.
Work is due to start at sites at the Phoenix Centre in Townhill, Plasmarl, Gendros, Pontlliw and Clydach in the summer with as many as 10 others to follow later in the year.
The latest round of work will bring to more than 50 the number of completed play area projects under a hugely-popular programme that’s benefited communities across Swansea.
Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, welcomed the announcement of the new round of projects and pledged there would be more to follow.
He said: “We know how popular upgraded play areas are. Many thousands of families have enjoyed using them over the last two years and every time we announce more, they are always welcomed locally.
“Apart from the five due to start this summer, we’re also in advanced planning for upgrades at Jersey Park in St Thomas, Brynmill Park, Blaenymaes Playground, Cwm Level in Brynhyfryd and the DFS play area in Morriston.
“We’re hoping to announce the location of upgrades in five other locations later in the summer.”
Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said the latest round of projects would bring spending committed to the city’s play area network to £7m.
He said: “We made our play areas pledge a policy commitment because we saw just how important they were to young families and children as a free place to go as we all emerged from the pandemic.
“We wanted to continue to encourage opportunities to get out and about and from my visits to see the sites, it’s very clear the feedback has been enormously positive.
“Enjoying the fresh air is so important for our young people. Play areas give children and their families safe places to meet where they can have fun and spent quality time together.”
Since the start of the play areas programme communities across Swansea have seen investment in areas including Mayhill, West Cross, Garnswllt, Bonymaen, Mawr, Grovesend, Penclawdd and Birchgrove.
Apart from traditional swings, slides and roundabouts, features at some sites have also included zip wires, climbing frames and trampolines.
To find out more about the council’s biggest ever investment in play areas go to: https://www.swansea.gov.uk/article/9312/A-new-generation-of-play-areas-for-our-children
