Now boats are coming back to Aberdare Park’s lake
We’ll be sailing by spring:
PLUS: Water will be drained this weekend
YOU could soon see boats floating on Aberdare Park’s beautiful lake, as plans are in place to make them available for hire once again.
As part of a raft of improvements at the Cynon Valley park, plans have now been announced to re-introduce the oncepopular activity – and it could return as early as February 2017.
Aberdare Park is in the process of benefiting from £100,000 improvements, with more than £20,000 being spent on cleaning the lake and the surrounding area, £11,000 on resurfacing sections of footpath in the park, and £18,000 on improving its bowls pavilion.
New equipment has already been installed at the children’s area in a £50,000 investment.
The lake is currently being dredged and cleaned by Rhondda Cynon Taf council, and you could soon set sail on the water.
Ann Crimmings, RCT cabinet member for en- vironment, leisure and culture, and councillor for Aberdare West & Llwydcoed, said: “Many residents and visitors to the park will be able to recall the site of boats floating around the lake and I am delighted to confirm that the council plans to re-introduce them shortly to further improve the visitor offer.
“We are lucky to have such a beautiful park in Aberdare – which this year played host to a start stage of the Tour of Britain and has already been confirmed as the location for the council’s 2017 Armed Forces Day event – and this is certainly more good news for the park and will, I am sure, be a popular addition.
“Officers are currently working on the detail in terms of when the boats will be available, how to hire them and further details will be announced in the New Year once arrangements are finalised.”
Aberdare Park opened on July 27, 1869, and its boating lake is one of its main features.
The public space hosts the annual Aberdare Festival and Aberdare Park Road Races, and will host RCT’s annual Armed Forces Day Event in 2017.
The council is also bidding for it to host a stage of the Tour of Britain cycling event, which it did so in September.