A park central to a community in the Neath Valley has been transformed into a destination for all ages following an £820,000 refurbishment.
New facilities at Glynneath Miners Welfare Park include a children’s play park, replacing the bowls green, with zip wires, trampolines, a rope course, swings, an inclusive roundabout, and a “roadway” for cycling and scooting.
Three tennis courts have been fully refurbished and a fourth has been repurposed as a multi-use games area for football, hockey, and netball. The teen park now features a double zip-line, cone climber, a rotator, swings and a shelter.
The redevelopment has focused on inclusivity and accessibility, with equipment designed for children with disabilities, and officially opened to the public on Tuesday, April 22.
The project, led by Glynneath Town Council, received a £393,240 grant from the Pen y Cymoedd Vision Fund, which is open to bold and ambitious projects that benefit communities within the upper reaches of the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys.
Contributions from other partners include:
- £395,000 from the Maes Gwyn Community Benefit Fund
- £13,518 from Glynneath Town Council
- £10,000 from Neath Port Talbot Council’s Community Minor Projects Grant (a grant available to all Town and Community Council’s in Neath Port Talbot)
- £6,101.90 from the Selar Community Benefit Fund
Kate Breeze, executive director of the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund, said: “It is such a pleasure to see the Glynneath Welfare Park being enjoyed by children of all ages after so much hard work from the town council and its various partners.
“The park is a hub for people in the Neath Valley, but it was in dire need of updating to keep it a useful and fun environment for children and young people. Creating the opportunity to develop spaces that can be enjoyed by a community for generations is exactly what this fund is all about.”
Glynneath Town Mayor, Councillor Julian Bulman, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see the redevelopment of Glynneath Miners Welfare Park completed. This is a vital community space that has been transformed into a vibrant, inclusive area that will benefit residents of all ages for years to come. The town council is incredibly grateful to all the funders and partners who made this possible – it’s a fantastic achievement for Glynneath.”