Monmouthshire County Council will receive a share of £5 million of Welsh Government funding to refurbish, improve and create play spaces across the county.
Playing positively impacts children and families and is vital in a child’s development, helping them build their confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
Cllr Angela Sandles, Cabinet Member for Equalities and engagement, and Cllr Sara Burch, Cabinet Member for rural affairs, housing and tourism visited the refurbished Williams field lane playground in Monmouth, meeting parents and children who benefit from the facilities.
They welcomed Minister for Children, Dawn Bowden to Williams Field Lane, along with children from Overmonnow Primary School.
The playground has been enhanced thanks to funding from the active travel fund, through the Williams Field Lane Active Travel scheme.
The scheme has seen a mixture of planting, natural eco-friendly play areas, equipment for children’s development such as a hedgehog house.
The play area is also used as a forest school by Overmonnow Primary School.
Cllr Angela Sandles said: “Play spaces give children the chance to explore their imagination, enjoy the outdoors and stay active in a safe and welcoming environment.”
“It’s so important that we extend these benefits to as many communities across the county as possible.”
Cllr Sara Burch said: “The new route provided with Welsh Government Active Travel funding provides a safe route to school and to town.”
“It was great to hear how much the children enjoy walking and cycling to school, stopping off to play at the playground.”
“We are delivering improvements around the county to make walking and cycling the easy, obvious choice for local journeys, benefitting everyone from parents with pushchairs to mobility scooter users.”