The Merthyr play areas are set for a major transformation to cater to the needs of children in the area. The council has allocated a budget of £518,000 per year for the next two years to improve play areas in the county borough. Currently, 14 sites have already been refurbished as part of an ongoing programme.
The council manages 51 fixed play areas throughout the county borough, many of which are reaching the end of their useful lives and require refurbishment. In 2021, an independent report identified sites in need of replacement or removal, prompting the allocation of £280,000 per year for a five-year refurbishment programme.
Responding to feedback from councillors who felt the programme was progressing too slowly, an accelerated capital programme was approved in March 2022. This increased the annual budget to £518,000 over five years, allowing for the completion of more sites within a shorter timeframe.
The accelerated programme aims to refurbish between four and seven sites per year, depending on their value. By July 2024, a total of 14 sites have already been refurbished as part of this initiative. The capital programme is scheduled to run until the end of the financial year 2025-26.
The contractor appointed for the 2024-25 capital programme has submitted designs for each site. The estimated cost to refurbish a standard locally-equipped play area is between £90,000 and £105,000, while a neighbourhood-equipped play area costs between £180,000 and £200,000 to refurbish.
Priority sites for the upcoming year include Haydn Terrace in Penydarren, Clare Street in town, Abercanaid, and Millennium Park in Treharris. For 2025-26, priority sites include Edward Street in Dowlais, Blaen Dowlais in Dowlais, Cyfarthfa (splash and dry), and Pentrebach.
The refurbishment programme aims to enhance the play areas in Merthyr Tydfil, providing children with safe and engaging spaces to enjoy. Residents can expect to see further improvements in the coming years as the council works towards revitalising play areas across the county borough.