The original park was on a sloping green field site that was poorly equipped and lacked adventurous outdoor fixed play equipment and a synthetic artificial turf pitch had been removed previously following the closure of a local school. The Community Council wanted to rejuvenate the space to provide exciting sports, play and meeting opportunities for children of all ages and families. It was also important that the park was dog proof.
There was extensive community consultation as part of the Grant Applications. These included a household survey, consultation days staged by the Council’s Play Development Team with parents and children, interviews on site, an open forum with the Neath Port Talbot Youth Council, consultations held within the ‘Rolling Zone’ a mobile youth provision bus, letters of support from local Primary Schools and a review from the Play Sufficiency Assessment.
The playground now features Sutcliffe Play’s unique ball court system that accommodates most sporting activities including: football, hockey, basketball, tennis, badminton and volleyball.
A range of dynamic equipment for older juniors has also been installed including a single point swing, sling shot and a low rotator. The low rotator is a challenging three station rotator, requiring strength, balance and co-ordination that allows children to control the speed themselves.
Equipment for toddlers includes a spring see saw, swings and a Toddler Zone unit that caters for both younger and older toddlers, including those with special needs. The unit is designed to be both inclusive and challenging. There’s an easy route for shuffling and crawling up a climb up ramp through to a low 0.9m slide, or a harder route up a ladder via a drag ramp to a higher 1.2m slide.
The playground was made dog proof by introducing fencing all around the area. A pedestrian gate and vehicle pedestrian gate were added for access.
“The new play area has put Dyffryn Clydach on the map! The ball court and fixed play equipment is proving to be very popular and the Community Council is already thinking about adding more equipment in the years to come.
“I am very pleased with the work of the Sutcliffe Play Area Sales Manager who was responsive to our every need and helped us to succeed, despite what the weather had to throw at us in November and December!”
Paul Hinder, Project Development and Funding Manager, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council
Funders
- The local Landfill Operator WREN (Waste Recycling and Environment)
- Dyffryn Clydach Community Council (the Project Owner) Reserves
- Minor Project Grant (MPG) from the County Council for Neath Port Talbot