A new play area in Rhydyfelin has opened in time for the schools’ Easter holiday following a £70,000 investment, delivered as part of the Council’s wider play area improvement programme.
The Council’s play area investment, through the wider #RCTinvest scheme, saw £790,000 spent on improving play areas in 2017/18, with 29 facilities benefitting across the County Borough. An additional £615,000 investment has been allocated for play areas over the next year, increasing the Council’s investment in this area to around £3m in the four years since 2015/16.
A brand new play area at Morien Crescent in Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd, has been delivered as part of the 2017/18 programme – and opened on Thursday, March 29, in time for children to enjoy it over the Easter holiday.
The new facility is aimed at children aged two to 14, and includes a cable way (or flying fox), swings and a basket seat swing, while its toddler play facilities include a three-person see-saw, a rocker and a multi-play unit for younger children with a slide and sensory play features. A multi-play area for older children features a track ride and slide, and a number of rotating play items including a wheelchair-accessible roundabout and a spinning disc.
Further work will take place at the playground after the Easter break, including re-seeding and the installation of seats, bins, signage and some fencing.
Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, said: “Improving our outdoor play areas for the benefit of our children and young people has been a priority for the Council through #RCTinvest, and the £790,000 investment for 2017/18 is being complemented by an additional £615,000 funding in 2018/19.
“Over the past three years, the provision of high-quality playgrounds in communities across the County Borough has been considerably improved. Our children and young people have the right to play in safe play areas with modern equipment, and the Council’s significant funding of new facilities allows more families to benefit from healthy outdoor activity at no charge.
“The brand new play area for Rhydyfelin will open in time to be enjoyed by our young people during their school Easter holiday, which I’m sure will be welcomed by the local community. While the play equipment has been installed and is ready to use, there will be works after Easter to finish the project – adding the finishing touches to the surrounding area.”
