New Mumbles seafront play area opens as part of coastal revamp

The Seaview play area stretches from Southend Gardens towards The George and has sweeping views across Swansea Bay. Made from tough, salt‑resistant timber, it features a slide, bouldering walls, a balance trail and hammock — designed to weather decades of seaside use.

Sunday’s opening drew a crowd of locals after an open invite went out on social media. Popular traders including Gower Seafood Hut and Bibby’s Beans have relocated their pitches alongside the new facility, with The Village Creperie set to join them.

The play area links with the existing Southend Gardens playground, creating an extended space for families to enjoy. It’s part of wider works that include 1,400 festoon lights along the prom, 40 newly‑planted trees, and strengthened coastal defences expected to protect homes and businesses for “many decades to come.”

A boost for families and businesses

Council leader Rob Stewart said the focus was on making the revamped seafront “family‑friendly” while drawing visitors into Mumbles. Cabinet member Andrew Stevens thanked residents for their patience during construction, which he said had been met with “overwhelmingly positive” feedback.

The sea defence scheme was formally opened by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca‑Davies in July. Minor landscaping around Hennebont Gardens will follow after the summer tourism season.

Across the city, the council is investing £8 million to upgrade dozens of community play areas, part of an ongoing push to improve free play facilities.

Garden Village youngsters welcome their new play area

The new play area on Myrtle Road is part of Swansea Council’s £8m programme to open new or improved outdoor play areas for every neighbourhood.

So far, the council says more than 60 play areas have been upgraded and the one in Garden Village was opened by Council Leader Rob Stewart.

The site includes equipment like swings, a trampoline, a rocking roundabout, a see-saw, soft landing areas, a sensory totem pole and even a pond explorer play panel.

Cllr Andrew Stevens, the council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said: “We’ve completed upgrades on more than 60 community play areas since we started this project, and we’re not stopping yet.

“Families and children love these new spaces, and we’ll keep everyone updated as more parks are improved.”

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “Experts agree that outdoor play is really important for children. It helps them stay healthy, make friends, and have fun.

“These free play areas are also a big help to families during the cost of living crisis. We’re proud to support wellbeing in every part of Swansea.”

Cllr Francis-Davies added: “The extent of our ambition to improve play areas is unique in the UK and we’re also investing around £3m in a new generation of skate parks, bike tracks, and sports pitches across the city.

“This is the biggest investment we’ve ever made in outdoor play, and it’s something local people told us they really wanted.”

A war of words recently broke out between council leader Rob Stewart and Lib Dem councillor Sam Bennett over proposed parks at SA1’s Waterfront.

Cllr Bennett, who is also the Lib Dem’s lead Senedd candidate for next may’s elections, has claimed no progress had been made on promised play areas in the emerging maritime area where hundreds of homes have been built.

Council leader, Rob Stewart meanwhile has criticised Cllr Bennett’s comments as “pretty disingenuous and misleading”, saying Cllr Bennett had been kept abreast of developments.

Swansea Council subsequently released details of two new parks in SA1, saying that work had already commenced.

Councils to get £5m funding boost to make playgrounds fun-tastic

The Welsh Government say the extra £5m, to be shared across local authorities, will allow the purchase of items to improve the quality of play spaces, refurbish playgrounds and support the creation of inclusive and accessible play spaces.

When considering their proposals, local authorities are being asked to gather the views of people including children and their families on play provision in their area; consider play opportunities that are inclusive and encourage all children to play and meet together, and improve access and safety.

Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: “By working closely with local authorities, we’re helping to ensure children in Wales have access to safe and engaging places to play, particularly in areas where families may face additional challenges.

“Our £5m investment in these vital community assets is more than just improving playgrounds. It’s about investing in our children’s development and wellbeing – and building stronger, better-connected communities across Wales.”

This funding was secured through the budget deal between the Welsh Government and Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Politicians had a whale of a time at Porthcawl’s Cosy Corner

Families eagerly awaited at the sidelines, whilst council Leader John Spanswick cut the ribbon to mark the opening of the area, which offers a large-scale whale play structure that takes centre stage. The bespoke design by Proludic, a UK company experienced in manufacturing and supplying playground equipment, means that this is the only playground whale of its kind in Wales, with only one other located in England.

Delivered by the council’s Green Space Enhancement Team and facilitated by UK Government Shared Prosperity Funding, the play area is suitable for up to 70 children at a time, and also features a series of interlocking climbing nets, platforms, slides and ladders, as well as additional accessible play facilities, including smaller boat-themed features and interactive play panels.

The event marks the completion of the regeneration of Cosy Corner, a scheme which has cost £3m overall.  The development has already provided extensive flat landscaping, the introduction of six new commercial units, new public seating, an all-weather canopy, open space for outdoor events, public toilets, and changing facilities for users of the nearby marina.

Cllr Farr, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “We are so excited that the new children’s play area is ready for families to enjoy, with many of the designs reflecting ideas offered by local school children. 

“The play area is conveniently positioned at the top end of the site, ensuring that plenty of green open space is still available to host a range of cultural activities planned for the spring and summer months. We are so fortunate to have this newly developed space, which now offers a complete experience for young families visiting Cosy Corner.”

Council Leader, Cllr John Spanswick, commented: “The marine-themed children’s play area is a fantastic addition to Cosy Corner.  Its bespoke whale feature is almost unique to Porthcawl and invites children of all abilities to use their imaginations and become engaged in physical, creative, outdoor play – we are very proud of the facilities in the play area and how they perfectly complement the town’s coastal identity.

“The playground marks a milestone for Porthcawl, with it being the final project to complete Cosy Corner, part of the waterfront regeneration scheme – a worthwhile, extensive initiative which reflects our unwavering commitment to community wellbeing and economic regeneration.”

(Lead image: Bridgend County Borough Council)

@stevencudahy  #WritingCommunity #CreativeWriting

#MastoPrompt #Challenge #Poem #Poetry
#Prompt: #Worrisome

From my 16 year old son, Dylan:

The speed of that slide
Is rather worrisome. Oh,
Please be careful. PLEASE!!!!!

Found a defender of #green #spaces in the urban wild during the weekend. Let's hope a sign mitigates ignorance.