It’s time for fun again as play areas reopen

SMILING faces, happy children... and families coming together in the sunshine – a sight to warm the heart as lockdown starts to melt away.

Pontypridd felt some of the glow yesterday, as did many play areas around south Wales.

Many of Cardiff’s playgrounds reopened, but there was disappointment for visitors to popular Roath Park, where the padlocks were still on the gates.

Pontypridd hasn’t had the best year – extreme floods during Storm Dennis and then the coronavirus lockdown.

So yesterday’s reopening of play areas was welcomed with joy and laughter.

Ynysangharad War Memorial Park was full of families having picnics, sunbathing, enjoying the glorious sunshine – and children could be seen having a little fun again in the play areas.

Eli Jones, eight, enjoyed a lovely day with his sister, Lana Jones, four, and their grandparents.

When asked what he enjoyed most about visiting the play area again, Eli said: “I got to go on the swings and slides.”

For their grandmother, Carol Jones, 64, she said it was amazing to see them out again, playing and enjoying the good weather.

Carol, from Aberaman, near Aberdare, said: “They have been to school three days – the last three Mondays – they can go together because they are siblings.

“They have been in the garden a lot. They have quite a big garden.

“It’s nice for them to be out. I work normally, so it’s nice for me to be able to spend time with them.”

A similar picture was painted by Helena Worth, 39, who visited the park with her children and her friend Candice.

Helena travelled from Penrhiwceiber to be able to enjoy a bit of quality time with them in the sunshine.

“It’s been a wonderful day,” she said. “Enjoying the park in the sunshine with my children and my friend, Candice.

“It’s been lovely to be able to see friends and expand in bigger bubbles.”

She added: “We really like Ponty Park. I came here as a kid with my family and we come here now. It’s nice to see some friends. It’s been quite busy.”

Another family who were out and about making the most of their time together included siblings Mia Stockley, 11, Harri Stockley, five, and Rosie Hayden, who is 19 months.

The three, from Nelson, were laughing as they played together in the tunnel.

They may have been a little shy at first, but when asked what he missed most with the play area being shut Harri pretty much summed up how most of us have been feeling over the past few months – he simply said: “I’ve missed having fun.”

Down in Cardiff, meanwhile, Cardiff council last week published a list of 30 parks that would be reopening.

Roath Park did not feature on the list, which was published on the council’s website on Friday.

A statement on the council’s website added: “Play areas are being opened on phased basis, following a safety first approach and with a view to ensuring that children across the city have some play provision in their local area as quickly as possible.”

Kerry Gwilym, 35, travelled from Rhondda to Roath, and her two children were left disappointed.

She said: “Since the lockdown we have been waiting for something – for some form of normality. The kids have been wanting to see something get back to normal.”

She added: “There has been a lot of confusion. This morning I heard they were opening today. I got the kids out of bed, brought them down here, and everything was locked up and they weren’t able to go in.”

By late morning several parents had brought their children to the play area.

Some were left disappointed and furious to find it still closed up, while others let their children climb the fence to be able to access the area.

However, playtime was cut short when a member of park staff opened the gate to remove the children.

He blew a whistle to attract their attention and directed them off the premises.

“He was saying they are starting to reopen some of the parks – some of them, but not all of the parks,” added Kerry.

Discussing the importance of play areas for children, she added: “They need a lot of entertainment.

“The park is the main source of that – it brings so many components together.

“I will probably go home now and see if a local park is open for the children.”

Claire Brice, 31, travelled from Barry with her children to get a bit of fresh air and for the children to be able to have a little fun following lockdown.

When asked what people’s reactions were like to finding the play area still shut up, she said: “Quite a lot have walked away.”

When asked what it’s like to be able to visit the area with the kids again, she said: “It’s nice – especially for the youngest – she’s been waiting for the park to open. She doesn’t understand why the parks are shut.

“She has been like a bottle of pop waiting to come to the park.”

Meanwhile, all nine of the city’s “outdoor gyms” reopened yesterday.

Prior to reopening the 30 play areas and nine outdoor gyms, the council said equipment and safety surfaces have been checked, and changes have been made to help maintain social distancing and minimise risk of transmitting Covid-19 – for example, some swing seats may have been removed to ensure a 2m distance is maintained.

New signage has been installed asking families to wash or sanitise their hands, before, after and during using the equipment and keep a two-metre distance from others.