New play area opens near Swansea seafront

The £56,000 project at West Cross is just the latest new or revamped play area to be completed as part of a £5m investment in play by Swansea Council.

Thousands of children across the city are now enjoying improved play facilities during the school holidays and more projects are to come.

The West Cross scheme, which was funded by Swansea Council, ward members from their allowance and Mumbles Community Council, is located opposite the shops on Alderwood Road.

It includes swings, a roundabout, a climbing unit and a zipwire.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, attended the opening this week.

He said: “During the last year we have completed work on more than 40 new or revamped play areas and I’m delighted to see West Cross added to this list.

“I’m particularly pleased that it is wheelchair accessible and the feedback we’ve had already is really positive.

“Getting out and about and enjoying the fresh air is so important for our young people and projects like this give children and their families safe places to meet where they can have fun and spent quality time together.”

Carrie Townsend Jones, Chair of Mumbles Community Council, said: “We are delighted that the West Cross Green Park was completed in time for the summer holidays.

“We know that the park will bring tremendous pleasure to the children in the area and hopefully, bring more business to the local shops.

“It was of real value that MCC and Swansea Council worked closely together to deliver this park and that it was tailored to the needs of the local children, including those with disabilities.”

The council has agreed plans for improvements at seven other locations where work is due to start in coming weeks. On top of that there are plans in the pipeline for another 18 council play areas in parks all across Swansea.

The next seven sites to be given the go-ahead are at Brokesby Road, Bonymaen, Denver Road, Fforestfach, Hafod Park and Ynystawe Park as well as Garnswllt play area in Mawr, Highmead in Mumbles and Heol Tir Du in Morriston.

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “Completing the programme of improving every council-owned play area is one of the council’s policy commitments. I’m delighted that so much progress is being made so quickly.

“So far we’ve committed £5m to our play area fund and children across the city are seeing the benefits with fun safe areas created for them and their families to enjoy.”