Investment sees upgrade for five local play areas
TWO children’s playgrounds in the Cynon Valley have been upgraded with new equipment – and three more will follow suit in the new year.
The play areas in Llwydcoed Park and at Welfare Park in Hirwaun have recently been upgraded with new facilities, with both areas being fully refurbished with the work finishing just before Christmas.
And, parks at Ty Fry in Aberdare, Gwladys Street in Penywaun and in Fernhill are all about to be improved.
Ty Fry will see the replacement of its ‘junior multi play unit’ while Gwladys Street will have new play equipment and swings. The park in Fernhill will have a new toddler play unit, while its climbing frame will be replaced with a basket swing.
Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s cabinet member for environment, leisure and culture, has visited the completed sites in Llwydcoed and Hirwaun.
She said: “We made a commitment at the beginning of this year to invest in the services and facilities we know matter to people and RCT Invest is delivering on this commitment.
“By the end of 2016-17 nearly 50 play areas will have been improved and these free-to-use, opento-all play areas are now stocked with speciallychosen equipment that can be used by different children in different ways.
“For example, some of the equipment we have invested in can be used by a toddler on the lower levels and, as that child grows, so they extend their use of the equipment. We have also introduced wheelchair accessible roundabouts and basket swings where we can.
“The colder weather is now upon us but we continue to push forward with the improvement work.”
The upgrades are being funded by Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s £1.7m investment in play areas as part of its wider RCT Invest programme.