Parks in Merthyr Tydfil set to receive refurbishment funding

FOUR parks in Merthyr Tydfil are set to benefit from £280,000 worth of refurbishments this year.

Full council will consider approving the spend on parks in Cefn Coed (Charlie’s Park), Twyn Carmel, Lewis Street in Bedlinog and Glantaff Road at its meeting on Wednesday, September 8.

The report set to go before councillors says that the Council manages 52 fixed play areas throughout the county borough and that many of these facilities are coming to the end of their useful life.

An assessment of all 52 sites was done and based on their condition the four sites were chosen for refurbishment this financial year.

To provide facilities that meet the local equipped area for play (LEAP) standard, £70,000 per site is the estimated cost.

As well as the regular inspections carried out by council officers, all the fixed play areas receive an annual independent inspection.

As part of this inspection an estimate of the remaining lifespan is given and this information has been used along with council officer input to prioritise the four sites.

Factors such as repairs required, age, condition, realistic lifespan and play value have been taken into account when deciding on the sites.

In Cefn Coed, a large multi-play unit is due to be removed from the site as part of safety works leaving very little on the site.

The council report says there is a large grass area good for redevelopment with plenty of space so the plan is to refurbish it as the estimated end of its life is 2026

The Twyn Carmel play area has been closed due to safety issues and it is recommended that it is permanently relocated due to site access problems and size.

The land could be transferred to Wales and West Housing with the play area’s estimated end of life being 2021.

The Glantaff Road play area will have large multi unit removed leaving it with a low “play value” so refurbishment is recommended.

Log barriers at the entrance and the self closing gate are set to be removed with the play area’s estimated end of life being 2026.

And the Lewis Street will also see a multi unit taken out leaving the site with little value for play.

It was installed in 1989 so is in need of refurbishment with a rocker see-saw and safer surface tiles also set to be removed.

This play area’s estimated end of life is said to be 2026.