A £3.3m investment scheme to develop the best-possible play, sporting and recreational facilities for residents has secured a further £750,000 boost.
The decision by Cabinet today to allocate additional investment to parks, country parks and play areas means a total of £4m will be spent improving and enhancing the open spaces over the financial year.
It will enable even more work to be delivered to create open spaces, including play areas and new-look skate parks for our youngest residents, exceptional facilities for sports teams of all ages and beautiful, well-maintained parks and country parks for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.
In addition to today’s announcement of additional funding to further improve play areas, parks and country parks, is the confirmation two new splash pads are set to be opened in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd (subject to approval by the Ynysangharad War Memorial Park Sub Committee) and Gelligaled Park, Ystrad, further enhancing the offer available for residents.
The additional funding will complement an ongoing investment programme across parks, country parks and play areas to create:
- Create new play areas and upgrade existing ones, introducing new play and sensory play equipment for a range of ages, plus accessible features such as ground-level roundabouts for children in wheelchairs and pushchairs.
- Rebuild two skate parks in Ystrad and Beddau for the benefit of young people who love to bike, skate and scooter.
- Install high quality safety fencing and surfacing at play areas to protect our youngest visitors and their families
- Improve access to play areas to ensure they are accessible as possible
- Continue year-round inspection and responsive repair service to ensure all play areas remain at the highest-possible standard and faults or damage are fixed immediately.
- Protect and enhance the social and recreational benefits of our parks and country parks, investing in new pathways, car parks and fencing.
- Improve and maintain communal spaces such as toilets or club houses.
- Maintain the overall standards and appeal of the open spaces with painting, maintenance and repairs.
- Invest in sports facilities for all ages and interests, including investment in pitches, stands, changing rooms and club houses.
- Work with teams to ensure the facilities they use meet their current and future sporting needs and aspirations.
The Council is proud to have an impressive range of open spaces where residents of all ages can spend time socialising, exercising and enjoying recreational time.
Cllr Louisa Addiscott, Cabinet Member for Environment and Capital Infrastructure, said: “Today’s additional funding brings the total investment in parks, country parks and play areas to a significant £4m.
“Everyone has their own special reasons why they love their local park or open space.
“Whether you want to walk in nature, meet with friends, have fun in the play area, enjoy a picnic, take on a fun run, scoot, skate or ride your bike or compete in sports, our parks offer the chance to do that for free!
“That is why it is so important these spaces are enhanced and maintained to the highest-possible standards, so everyone in our communities can continue to enjoy them in their own way.
“Alongside the investment in parks, play areas and country parks is the exciting announcement of plans to open two new splash pads and enhance a third, meaning park life is set to get even more exciting for residents in the future.”
The parks, play areas and country park plans agreed by Cabinet this week form part of a wider investment package totalling £12m for priority service areas and improvements in 2026/27, over and above the capital programme for this financial year which is currently being delivered. These are:
- Highways and Roads – £3.5 million.
- Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor – £3 million.
- Cynon Gateway North Transit Corridor – £3 million.
- Flood Alleviation works – £250,000.
- Unadopted Roads – £150,000.
- Splash Pads – £800,000.
- Parks and Green Spaces – £500,000.
- Country Parks – £150,000.
- Play Areas – £100,000.
- Streetcare improvements (bins) – £25,000.
- Energy support, third sector – £60,000.
- Capital Programme pipeline development/delivery – £600,000.
Posted on 22/09/2026