Merthyr Tydfil is gearing up to revamp its play areas for children over the next two years. With a budget of £518,000 per year, the council aims to enhance more play areas in the county borough, with 14 sites already completed as part of an ongoing programme.
The council currently oversees 51 fixed play areas throughout the area, many of which are reaching the end of their useful lives and require refurbishment. An independent report in 2021 identified sites needing replacement or removal, prompting the allocation of £280,000 annually for a five-year refurbishment plan.
Following positive feedback from councillors in December 2021, an accelerated capital programme was endorsed in March 2022. This programme raised the annual capital allocation to £518,000 over five years, allowing for a quicker completion of refurbishments. The accelerated scheme aims to renovate between four to seven sites yearly, depending on the value, until the end of the financial year 2025-26.
As of July 2024, a total of 14 sites have already undergone refurbishment. The contractor appointed for the 2024-25 capital programme has presented designs for each site, estimating costs between £90,000 to £105,000 for a standard locally-equipped play area and £180,000 to £200,000 for a neighbourhood-equipped play area.
Priority sites for 2024-25 include Haydn Terrace in Penydarren, Clare Street in town, Abercanaid, and Millennium Park in Treharris. Looking ahead to 2025-26, priority sites include Edward Street in Dowlais, Blaen Dowlais in Dowlais, Cyfarthfa (splash and dry), and Pentrebach.
Completed sites under this programme include Trefechan, Cefn Coed, Gwenllwyn Castle Park, Twyn Carmel, Thomastown Park, Keir Hardie, Glantaff Road, Moy Road, Prospect Place, Treharris Park, Edwardsville, Oaklands, and Lewis Street.
The initiative aims to provide updated and engaging play areas for children across Merthyr Tydfil, promoting fun and healthy outdoor activities for the community’s youth.