DOZENS of play areas will be upgraded across Swansea, and a country park is getting a financial boost.
Council chiefs have agreed that £1 million will be shared across Swansea’s 36 wards to revamp play facilities, with councillors deciding which schemes should go ahead.
There are conditions, including that councillors will have to source 20% of the costs through different means.
Cabinet agreed to fund the £1 million investment through borrowing at a meeting on September 17, with members saying how much play areas and outdoor space have been valued since the coronavirus pandemic.
“I think this is a great scheme,” said Cllr Robert Francis-Davies.
“Play parks and spaces have been probably better used than ever.”
Some of them, he said, had become “depleted” in recent years.
Cllr Mark Thomas said allowing councillors to prioritise schemes at a local level was a good idea.
“There is a lot in that – they know best,” he said.
Councillors already receive £10,000 per year to fund small-scale projects in their patch. Some of this money could be used to top up the play area costs.
Cabinet, meanwhile, also accepted a £135,000 Welsh Government grant for three outdoor projects, the main one being a £100,000 investment in Clyne Valley Country Park.
The 740-acre wooded park in Swansea West will get improved paths, new signs and car park investment.
And £30,000 of the grant will go on better drainage on the main access to Bishop’s Wood Local Nature Reserve, near Caswell.
The remaining £5,000 will fund the replacement of some of the petrol chainsaws and strimmers used to maintain the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with electric versions.
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