New outdoor play facilities in the Bedwas and Trethomas areas of Caerphilly are already proving to be a hit with children and young people.
The children’s play area at Bryn Park received new equipment, as well as the installation of a multi-use games area (MUGA). The new facilities were funded as part of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme and thanks to an additional contribution of £20,000 from Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council.
Local resident Michelle Bridges and her twins Amber and Faith are already making great use of the new play area. Michelle said “I think the park will be used daily by many. I, for one, wasn’t expecting it to be as nice; it’s great for the area.
It’s fab to see the park full and how the older children and teenagers are using the MUGA. It gives that age group a place to go that’s safe and where they can have a kick about with their mates, instead of wandering the streets. I’d like to give my thanks to everyone who’s been involved in making this happen.”
Over £260 million has been invested into tenants’ homes and local communities as part of the council’s WHQS programme. This investment has included delivering a wide range of environmental improvements throughout the county borough, such as play areas, skate parks, landscaping and additional car parking.
Improvements have also recently been completed at play areas in Ty Isha Terrace in Cefn Fforest, Holly Road in Ty-Sign, Cefn Road in Hengoed, Attlee Road in Blackwood, Pengam Road in Penpedairheol and Pantycelyn Street in Ystrad Mynach. A new kickwall has also been installed at Fairview, Pengam.
Other play areas set to benefit from equipment upgrades include Penylan Road in Argoed and the park in Markham. Maesycwmmer’s Hill View play area will feature a new helter skelter slide.
Young people in Graig y Rhacca and Britannia will have new youth shelters to enjoy, as well as upgrades to equipment at Britannia’s Angel Way play area. More kickwalls are also planned for The Avenue in Gilfach and Griffiths Street in Ystrad Mynach.
Cllr Lisa Phipps, the council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and local ward member, added “It’s been fantastic to see these facilities being so well used already. The investment being made through our WHQS programme really has made a wealth of difference to so many communities.
In this instance we were able to really enhance improvements with additional funding from Bedwas, Trethomas and Machen Community Council to create safe, usable spaces for a range of ages to enjoy.”
