Children in the Pantyffynnon Road area of Ammanford are enjoying an excitingly laid out playground complete with aerial runway.
Pantyffynnon Road Park has been completely refurbished thanks to a £50,000 grant through the Landfill Communities Fund of FCC Environment administered by the Environmental Body WREN.
The transformation took place as a co-operative effort between Carmarthenshire County Council and the Pantyffynnon Partnership.
The park was officially re-opened on National Play Day by campaigner and next door neighbour Anita Jones.
Mrs Jones, who is 85, said the park had originally been given by Lord Dynevor and as a member of the hall committee she had helped to start the process of finding a way to refurbish the park.
“My grandchildren were the first on the equipment. They could see it being put up from my window!”
Carol Cadman, vice chair of the Pantyffynnon Partnership, said: “The park needed improving and we were lucky enough to get a £50,000 grant from WREN. The project hasn’t taken long.
“We consulted parents and children on four designs and the winning design was chosen unanimously.
“Ever since the park opened it has been absolutely heaving, even when it’s raining.”
Town Mayor and Partnership chair Paula Treharne said: “It’s amazing. It shows what you can achieve by working together. It is somewhere safe for the children to play.”
Carmarthenshire County Council playground officer Eamonn Davies said: “People have put a lot of hard work into turning a derelict playground into a really nice one. I drew up plans which the children looked at and said what they wanted. The runway and swings are the most popular things.”
Council executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “I’m delighted that this play area has been refurbished thanks to the community, council and WREN working together. It is a wonderful facility.”
Meleri Jones, grant manager at WREN, said “This project has demonstrated how working in partnership can make things happen within the community. We are pleased to support this project that will enable a wide range of ages and abilities in the area to benefit.”
Organisations and community groups requiring funding for beneficial projects should visit www.wren.org.uk or contact WREN on 01953 717165.