## Swansea Launches £2.8m Investment in Skate and BMX Parks
A transformative investment of £2.8 million in skate and BMX parks is now in motion across Swansea, with the council unveiling a wide-ranging programme aimed at improving and expanding wheel sports facilities throughout the region. The ambitious scheme is set to deliver both upgraded and completely new parks, responding to growing calls from the local community for better spaces to enjoy skateboarding, BMXing and similar activities.
The first of these redevelopments has already opened its doors to the public at Coed Bach Park in Pontarddulais, marking the official start of this comprehensive investment effort. Meanwhile, work is well under way at the Parc Melin Mynach skate park in Gorseinon, which will soon welcome skaters and riders back to a revitalised space designed to meet modern standards.
These upgrades form part of a broader vision to foster a vibrant, accessible wheel sports scene in Swansea, with the council drawing on the expertise of design specialists Curve Studio. This consultant team has been tasked with reviewing current facilities, listening to the community, and recommending improvements to ensure that every site caters to the needs of both novices and seasoned enthusiasts alike.
Crucially, Swansea Council has stressed that all new designs and upgrades will undergo public consultation prior to final decisions. Skateboarders, BMX riders, other wheel sports fans, and local residents are all being invited to share their ideas and preferences, guaranteeing that the resulting parks truly reflect the desires of those who use them most.
Looking ahead, the coming months and years will see a flurry of activity at sites all over the city. Among the headline projects is the creation of a modern skate “plaza” at Victoria Park in Brynmill, alongside significant improvements at skate parks in Mynydd Newydd, Penlan, and the Phoenix Centre, Townhill. There are also dedicated plans to introduce a new pump track for junior and beginner BMX riders at Melin Mynach—a space likely to prove popular with families and young people just starting out on two wheels.
Refurbishment is planned for the existing pump track in Clyne Valley, and early design workshops will be launching soon to gather input on proposed improvements at other parks, including the Elba in Gowerton and Ynystawe Park. Further into next year, similar upgrades are scheduled for Bishopston, Blaenymaes, Coed Gwilym in Clydach, Cwm Level in Plasmarl, Llansamlet, Landore/Morfa, Maesteg Park in St Thomas, Morriston Park, and the Prince of Wales Dock in SA1.
Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, emphasised that the city’s young people have often needed to travel elsewhere to find suitable facilities for their hobbies. “Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheel sports are very popular in Swansea, but many of our young people have had to look elsewhere for quality facilities to pursue their hobbies in recent years because the standard of the facilities here hasn’t been good enough,” he said.
He went on to explain, “This is why close to £3 million is being invested in neighbourhood skate parks across the city, because it will help meet demand while also raising Swansea’s profile as one of the UK’s best destinations for wheel sports.” Notably, the improved access will ensure most residents are within two miles of a redeveloped skate or BMX facility.
Adding to Swansea’s appeal is the already well-established indoor skate venue, Exist Skatepark, located in Mount Pleasant, alongside the popular seafront skate park at Llwynderw, West Cross. These facilities, combined with the new investment, look set to position Swansea as a hub for wheeled sports enthusiasts across the country.
It is clear that this expansive investment is not merely about providing places to skate or ride BMX, but about encouraging healthy outdoor activity, fostering community spirit, and showcasing Swansea’s commitment to supporting youth culture. As the upgrades roll out, residents and visitors alike will be able to enjoy a new era of inclusive, high-quality sports facilities across the city, and the wider region is waiting with anticipation to see the transformation take shape.