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SWANSEA: Council announces £11m investment in play areas and wheeled sports facilities

The investment was highlighted during a visit by Dawn Bowden, Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care, to Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has benefited from both schemes.

£8m Play Area Programme Since Pandemic

The council says it has invested around £8 million in creating or refurbishing over 80 community play areas since 2021. The project was supported by an additional £5 million in Welsh Government funding this year to help create inclusive and accessible play spaces, according to the council.

At Coed Gwilym Park, the funding has helped secure a wheelchair seesaw and a wheelchair trampoline, which are currently under construction. A new natural play area and a zipwire are also being added.

Children enjoying the new play equipment at Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach, which has been upgraded as part of Swansea Council’s £8 million play area investment programme. Image: Swansea Council

Welsh Government Minister Dawn Bowden said:

“It was great to visit Coed Gwilym Park and see how the local authority has been listening to the voices of children in developing play spaces. These improvements, supported by Welsh Government funding, will make a real difference to children and their families, providing opportunities to play and be active with friends.”

Welsh Government Minister for Children and Social Care Dawn Bowden (background left) and Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Community Services Cllr Hayley Gwilliam (background right) with local schoolchildren at the upgraded play area at Coed Gwilym Park in Clydach. Image: Swansea Council

Andrew Stevens, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said the programme was inspired by the pandemic.

“When we came out of the pandemic, the council made a commitment to modernise community play areas that’s seen more than 80 of them improved over the last five years. It means no child is far from a local, safe place to play outdoors with their friends.”

£3m Wheeled Sports Investment

The council has also announced a £3 million investment to upgrade facilities for BMX, skateboarding, and other wheeled sports.

New plans announced by the council include:

• Coed Gwilym Park, Clydach: Dirt track and jumps
• Coed Bach Park, Pontarddulais: Dirt track
• Morriston Park: Pump track
• Heol Las Park, Birchgrove: Pump track
• Maesteg Park, St Thomas: Pump track
• Ynystawe Park: Skate park
• SA1 Prince of Wales Docks: Pump track
• A new regional skate park (location to be confirmed)

The council says upgrade work has already been completed on a new skatepark at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and a skatepark at Parc Melin Mynach in Gorseinon.

Cai Bosch, Manager of the West French Skate Shop in Mumbles at Mumbles Skatepark (Image: Rob Kenning)

Cllr Andrew Stevens said:

“We’re determined to make Swansea one of the best places in Wales for wheeled sports, and today’s announcement of further new locations shows the scale of our ambition. Our long-term aim is to create a connected, inclusive and high-quality network of wheeled sports facilities that support healthier lifestyles, youth engagement and stronger communities across Swansea.”

A public forum to discuss the plans will be held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, February 25, from 5pm to 6.30pm, according to the council.

Hayley Gwilliam, Cabinet Member for Community Services, said:

“The feedback we’ve had from children, their families and communities has been tremendous. The investment is one of the largest and most sustained commitments to outdoor play areas of this kind anywhere in the UK.”

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New BMX and skatepark designs revealed for Gowerton and Ynystawe

New designs have been released for two upcoming sports facilities in Swansea — a BMX-focused site at the Elba sports complex in Gowerton and an upgraded skatepark in Ynystawe.

The plans were shared by Swansea Council at a recent update meeting with residents and wheeled sports users. The designs were developed by specialist firm Curve Studio, following what the council described as “extensive consultation.”

Planning and procurement are expected to begin in early 2026, with construction anticipated to start next summer.

The council says the wider programme aims to ensure that most Swansea residents live within two miles of a new or upgraded wheeled sports site.

Artist’s impression of the upgraded skatepark planned for Ynystawe, developed by Curve Studio.
(Image: Swansea Council)

“Safe, inspiring places” for young people

In a statement, Cllr Andrew Stevens, Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

“Skateboarding, BMXing and other wheeled sports are incredibly popular in Swansea, and these new designs for Gowerton and Ynystawe show the continued progress we’re making across the city.”

“Our £3m investment is delivering high-quality facilities shaped by local consultation, ensuring they reflect what users themselves have told us they want from modern wheeled sports spaces.”

“This is about more than new ramps or refurbished surfaces — it’s about creating safe, inspiring places that help young people stay active, build confidence and connect with their communities.”

“With Curve Studio’s expertise and the enthusiasm we’ve seen from local residents, these projects will make a real difference.”

More sites in the pipeline

According to Swansea Council, work is also due to begin shortly on a street-plaza style facility at Victoria Park, with further contracts expected for upgrades at Mynydd Newydd in Penlan and the Phoenix Centre in Townhill.

The council says improvements have already been completed at Coed Bach in Pontarddulais and Melin Mynach in Gorseinon, with additional developments planned for Blaenymaes, Bishopston, Clyne Valley, and a new junior pump track in Gorseinon.

Funding for the programme comes from a mix of ward member contributions, the community investment fund, community and town councils, and Welsh Government Active Travel funding.

#bmx #cllrAndrewStevens #curveStudio #elbaSportsCentre #gowerton #pumpTrack #skatePark #skatepark #sportsFacilities #swanseaCouncil #wheeledSports #ynystawe