A GROUP of residents in Dinas Powys are working hard to improve the play area in Seel Park.

Set up in September 2021 as a not-for-profit group, the Friends of Seel Park have raised awareness of some of the issues surrounding the play area and the need for renovation.

Chairwoman Debbie Evans recounted how she took her grandchild to the park early in the year and was struck by how "tired" it looked.

There were some who thought the renovations were unnecessary, but the first meeting of the group showed that there was enough interest to proceed.

Ms Evans said: "We've had lots of positive feedback from what we've achieved and people on my Instagram account have said 'thank you for what you're doing'.

"It's made an improvement.

"We're just a passionate group of residents really, who want to improve the park for everybody.

"Working with the council we are making those improvements, will continue to raise funds and apply for grants and will keep going."

Since the formation of the group, there has been improvements in the park, such as additions of new swings, improved benches and a new lick of paint.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council have contributed to the improvements, such as providing the swings, the wood for the benches and the paint for the fences.

The council also cut back an overgrowth of shrubbery near the play area.

The group itself turned out to paint the fences themselves and keep an eye out for any acts of vandalism, such as marking on the benches.

Accessibility has been improved with the removal of an old gate that was a "nightmare to go through with a pushchair", according to Ms Evans.

They also worked to make the short path leading to the park visible, as it had been covered in a layer of mud.

The group hope that the path will be lengthened as it stops slightly short at present.

Among the improvements is the removal of a cattle grid which has now been concreted over and the introduction of self-closing gates.

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For the future, the group are hoping to replace other equipment in the park, such as a springer which has seen better days and add a woodland trail at the bottom of the park.

The springer is set to be replaced next month with brand new equipment and another will be added at a later date.

They also want to add adult fitness equipment once the equipment for children has been set up.

The group have a fundraising page on Localgiving which can be found here.