Playground plans come to fruition

Plans to revamp ten local playgrounds are starting to come to fruition, with three out of the ten playgrounds already complete.  

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council currently manages 51 fixed play areas throughout Merthyr Tydfil, many of which are coming to the end of their useful life and in need of refurbishment.

In March 2022 Full Council agreed a capital spend of £518,000 per year over a five-year period, allowing us to refurbish between five and seven playgrounds per year for the next five years; an investment of over £2.5m.

The following sites were selected as part of the Council’s annual inspection of play facilities in 2021, with them being prioritised based on factors such as the extent of repairs required, age, condition, realistic lifespan and play value:

• Trefechan
• Gwernllwyn
• Caste Park
• Oaklands
• Thomastown Park
• Keir Hardy
• Moy Road
• Prospect Place
• Treharris Park
• Edwardsville

These follow the already completed works at Cefn Coed, Twyncarmel, Lewis Street (Bedlinog) and Glantaff Road.

Councillor David Hughes, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This Council recognises the importance of play for the health and wellbeing of children and young people, and for the physical, social, mental, and emotional benefits it gives them, so this investment has been a priority for us.

“I’m delighted to see these plans come to fruition, with Moy Road, Prospect Place and Edwardsville playgrounds recently completed and works on Thomastown Park underway.

“With the rest of the playground due to be complete in around 8 weeks, we are well on our way to giving the children of Merthyr Tydfil the improved, modern playgrounds they deserve.”

This is a rolling programme with five sites being renewed each year, so in addition to the above another five playgrounds will be started soon after April this year. 

Sites are independently inspected and confirmed by qualified council officers, then prioritised based on safety and the condition of equipment.