Pontlliw Park has been awarded prestigious Queen Elizabeth Field II status
The status, awarded by an organisation called Fields in Trust, formerly known as the National Playing Fields Association, means part of the park will be protected as public open space for many generations to come.
Protection has been established through a deed agreed between landowners Swansea Council and Fields in Trust that means the land will now be dedicated for use as public open space only.
Pontlliw and Tircoed Community Council applied for the park to receive the status with support from Swansea Council. Peter Jones, Community Champion at ASDA Gorseinon, also supported the venture and his work means the park’s received a log planter.
Pontlliw Park includes plenty of green space as well as facilities like tennis courts, a playground, a multi-use games area and jumps for BMXers.
Cllr June Burtonshaw, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, said: “Parks are vital resources for the communities they serve. They offer something for people of all ages, whether it’s a place for older people to relax or somewhere children can go to play sports and take part in fun activities. This is why it’s important they’re protected for many generations to come.
“Pontlliw and Tircoed Community Council has done a terrific job in ensuring their much-loved park has been awarded Queen Elizabeth II Field status. We’ll continue to work closely alongside them in future to guarantee the park keeps meeting people’s expectations.”
Gerwyn Davies, Chair of Pontlliw and Tircoed Community Council, said: “I’m delighted with this award because it means we’ve preserved the use of Pontlliw Park not just for the current generation but also for use by future generations. It’s a much-loved and much-used resource for our community.”
Rhodri Edwards, of Fields in Trust, said: “We’re delighted that Swansea Council, with the support of Pontlliw and Tircoed Community Council, nominated part of Pontlliw Park to be protected under the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.
“Local authorities today may have the best will in the world about protecting public open spaces, but no-one can guarantee what their successors will be tempted to do in 20, 50 or 100 years. These councils should therefore be proud of what they have done for future generations.”
As well as offering a method to guarantee the long-term future of playing fields and other outdoor recreational spaces, Fields in Trust also offers advice and information relating to development, management, funding and best practice.
For more information about green spaces in Swansea, visit our Parks and Gardens page.
