A Destination Play Park
Open Newtown and Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council (NLTC) are working in partnership to create a new destination Play Park which will replace and enhance the current facilities close to Back Lane car park, the existing model railway site and the new Riverside Venue Development.
The park will have areas for all ages of young people. It will be a great asset to both local people and visitors. Plans include new play areas and to replace the existing play park opposite the River Severn below the old Radio Hafren building. The play areas cater for 3 age groups in three separate but connected spaces.
Open Newtown took a group of students, from various schools across Newtown, on a day visit to Telford play park to explore their needs, wants and desires for a new play park. This data was then used to create an initial design. This design was shared with Sunshine playgrounds and helped inform the final design.
The location of the new play park will be opposite the river severn, adjacent to the old Radio Hafren building and the existing miniature railway track . We are also replacing the old Radio Hafren building with a new, Welsh Government funded, Riverside Venue.
Benefits / Impact
Open Newtown through its service level agreement with NLTC will facilitate the development of the new facility and are fully committed to developing inclusive and accessible play areas.
The overall aim is to create an area that leaves a positive lasting impression on those that visit the area and use the facilities. How the play park reflects its natural surroundings will be of great importance. Natural play will form a part of the design & installation.
Environmental factors have been considered in the design such as drainage & surface water collection, filtration and run off as the site is next to the River Severn. Leaf fall from trees was considered in the placement of equipment and in some cases root protection systems have been installed.
Welsh language and culture are of importance and any features that incorporate words must do so bi-lingually – this includes all construction signage.
Further information
Gary Mitchell (project manager)
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Further details
The new destination play park will offer an experience for a range of ages and abilities including the opportunity to learn, interact, imagine and play together. A separate toddler play area will be located behind the existing ‘Old Radio Hafren’ building and a junior play area adjacent to the miniature railway track. In addition facilities will be created for teenagers on the site of the existing playground area.
The play areas reflect the surrounding natural environment and have been designed to reflect local landmarks and heritage by using features such as a motte and bailey castle and the River Severn. There is an obstacle course, woodland agility trail and an impressive wooden structure so that children can let their imagination run wild and explore every little nook and corner, on various levels. It has been designed for numerous children of all ages playing at the same time, helping them develop both social and cognitive creative skills.
To complement the play facilities Open Newtown will also provide picnic benches for families to fully enjoy this new feature.
As well as the play equipment and natural play features, benches and seating will be installed.
There are 3 distinct and connected areas:
Area A
Which caters for a toddler age group between 0 & 4 years old, it will have a secure boundary, and will be overlooked by the new Riverside Venue picnic terrace. It will be accessible both from the green spaces and from the proposed new development as indicated on the plans.
Area B
This is the larger of the 3 spaces, it is close to the existing miniature railway track and the design will cater for those between 5 and 14. It will create some challenging activities and ones that stimulate the users imagination. This area will not be fenced and the design shows a mix of natural grass surfaces and the more man made ‘bouncy’ surfaces.
Area C
This is where the current & existing mixed ages play area is located. Much of the exisiting equipment has been removed for possible future use within the town boundary. There is a new shelter for the teenagers, somewhere to hang out and future proposals include a half mugga pitch.
Working in partnership
This is one of the many proposed projects from the partnership to boost activities and tourism in the town that are supported by The National Lottery Community Fund and NLTC funds.
Town Clerk – “Newtown’s Destination Playpark is the result of clear vision and hard work by the Town Council, Councillors and Staff – placing recreation and tourism high on priorities after several public consultations. Working constructively with others is the direction of travel for local councils. This example with Open Newtown demonstrates what partnerships can deliver by bringing in extra funding through The National Lottery Community Fund. Newtown is a place to invest in improvements and opportunities, in this case approx £170,000 total. We look forward to the results being in place in the Spring.”
Working in partnership with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust Open Newtown have employed a Park Ranger. This role will include managing volunteers, to help keep an eye on litter hotspots and anti-social activities whilst working alongside our local Police and the Town Councils maintenance team to ensure the area is well kept. We will also install extra litter bins inline with a new litter strategy for the green spaces.
What’s happened so far
- At the meeting of the NLTC Services Committee in October 2019 a contract was awarded to Sunshine Playgrounds, in partnership with Kompan, to begin work on the new town centre playpark in 2020.
- June 2020 Update – Works have been delayed due to Covid-19. Our contractor, Sunshine playgrounds have now returned to site and hope to complete by August 2020 but we are unsure as to when its use may be permissible under government legislation.
Costs & Funding
£123k from Newtown & Llanllwchaiarn Town Council
£50k from The National Lottery Communtiy Fund Wales & Open Newtown
Addressing concerns
Future requirements under Covid-19
We carried out a full environmental risk assessment prior to development.
Revised plans
Initial concepts were revised during the tender process.
Alignment to National, County and local strategy
Access to outdoor spaces and the Right to Play.
Future additions
Benches, picnic tables and bins to follow
Possible addition of enhanced features in the teen area
Possible structures that support forest and river schools.
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