Playground offers fun for all children
A NEW play area for children of all ages is to open – and is set to be a focal point for the whole community.
The Canolfan Play Area will “soon open” in Cwmaman, offering a variety of equipment for both small children and older users.
Facilities include a multi-play area with a slide and swings, with both pod seats for young children and regular seats for older children.
A new three-seat rocking see-saw has also been installed, along with a roundabout which is flush to the ground for easy wheelchair access.
For older users, the play area will also have a large climbing frame and a Supernova rotating disc which will provide a “significant challenge” for users, as well as a basket swing aerial runway and other open spaces.
The area is also fitted with softer safety flooring.
It’s being developed alongside the area’s new £7.2m community primary school, and is part of Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s investment in play areas – the local authority announced earlier this year a further 34 play areas are to be upgraded across RCT.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, cabinet member for environment and leisure, said: “Outdoor play is great for developing children’s imaginations and creativity as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle, physical, emotional and social development, as well as the joys of the great outdoors.
“Our bright new play facilities at Cwmaman will no doubt go on to inspire physical activity and socialisation through the world of play.
“The works have also included important improvements such as paths to make it easier for pushchairs and wheelchairs to navigate the facility.”
The opening also means the council’s investment in play areas has increased from £1.7m to £2.3m since 2015.
Coun Crimmings said: “The speed in which our play area investment continues to be delivered is a great testament to both the contractors and our parks division. Only last year we identified play areas in need of improvement, with a further 34 more added to the list earlier this year, meaning by the end of this year of 80 will have benefited from investment. We are continuing to make our way around the county borough at great pace.”