New water play area to replace disused park paddling pool
A NEW water play area is set to come to Aberdare Park.
The plan to install a splash play area at the site of the old paddling pool has been recommended for approval by RCT Council planning officers.
The splash play equipment would feature 13 different types of apparatus, with a total of 16 installations across the whole of the area.
Water supply would come from the existing plant room to the east of the splash play area.
There have been calls for similar splash play areas to be installed in other areas of RCT. A petition, signed by more than 1,000 people, calling for one at Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd, has been handed in to the council.
Aberdare Park is a Grade II registered historic park and garden which was partly laid out by garden designer Williams Barron.
The area of the park where the former paddling pool is sited was added in the 1950s, and the pool altered to its current shape in the 1970s.
Council officers say the plan would bring a redundant part of the park back into productive use with a new bespoke water play facility.
Their report adds: “The scheme will improve the character, appearance and utility of this currently disused area of the park.
“The proposal would add to the attractions available within the park, would be more inclusive to all users, and would require less maintenance and supervision than a traditional paddling pool.”
There have been no objections received by the council from the public. The planning and development committee will meet to consider the application on Thursday, December 6.