Two children’s playgrounds in Torfaen are being transformed with a total investment of £114,489.64.

Work has started to renovate the park in Garn yr Erw in Blaenavon and the play area in Oakfield Flower Gardens in Llantarnam, Cwmbran. The makeovers will include new play equipment including swings, seesaws and climbing frames, new musical instruments for sensory play, improved safety surfacing and fencing.

• £46,384.22 is being spent in Garn yr erw
• £68,105.42 is being spent in Oakfield Flower Gardens

Councillor Mandy Owen, Torfaen Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “Outdoor play is so important to mental health and wellbeing we can’t wait for these two parks to be completed so local children can enjoy the spaces. These upgrades wouldn’t be possible without the funding we have received. We would especially like to thank Cwmbran Community Council for their £10,000 contribution and for Welsh Government for their £16,000 contribution to the Oakfield Gardens Scheme.

“The council has also put £20,500 in total towards the projects as part of our commitment to improving the quality of public outdoor spaces in Torfaen.”

A council spokesperson said the rest of the money had come from “various private sector contributions.”

Pete Biggns, a teacher at Llantarnam Community Primary School, which is next to the Oakfield Flower Gardens, said: “The children are really excited about the park upgrade, and can’t wait to play in the refurbished park.

“Last year, one of my classes, Dosbarth Magnolia, came up with some ideas about how they would like the park to look and what equipment they would like in it. They presented the ideas to their local community councillor who then passed it on to the council for consideration.

“Hearing that some of their ideas have been taken on board is fantastic, and we would like to thank everyone involved for getting the park refurbished.”

Work on the parks is expected to be finished by late November.