INITIAL designs have been revealed for a play area in Rhyl which is to be reinstated after being demolished last year.
Drift Park play area, on West Parade, closed in March 2023 while work is undertaken to improve the town’s coastal defences, but is scheduled to return by September 2025.
The plans, designed by Kompan, comprise one “ship and ocean”-themed design, and another which is beach-themed; both designs involve a “toddler zone” and a “junior zone”, meanwhile.
Feedback is currently being sought from residents, which will then help decide what the final design will look like.
If residents are unable to attend either session, there is an online form which can be found and filled in at: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/coastal-defence/central-rhyl/drift-park-play-area/rhyl-drift-park-public-information-sessions.aspx.
Presentations will also be given at two Rhyl schools – Ysgol Tir Morfa and Christchurch School – on October 9, ahead of the conclusion of the consultation period on October 11.
The Central Rhyl Coastal Defence Scheme is scheduled for completion at the end of 2025.
“It’s easier for them to comment on something they can see, (but) there’s the potential to amend the designs, within some limitations.
“They’re vibrant designs, and whatever goes back there will be better than what was there before. The idea is that this will all be complete by next September.
“We want to make some decisions in the coming months about what’s going to go there, so that we can get ahead on planning and delivering it, but it won’t be rushed. We’ll make sure we do a thorough job on the consultation.”
Mr Ward added that the costs of the new play area have been incorporated into the overall budget for Rhyl’s coastal defence scheme.
He said the budget for the new play area is “about £200,000”, and will be form part of the council’s plans for the “regeneration” of Rhyl’s promenade.
“I think they’re both really good designs; the important thing is that we get the feedback from the people who are actually going to use it regularly,” he added.
Cllr Barry Mellor, the council’s lead member for environment and transport, promised that, regardless of the design, “nobody will be left out” at the new play area, which will be “accessible for everyone”.
He said: “We know how popular the old play area was, but these designs are so much bigger, and will be so much more accessible than previously.
“The vibrancy of the designs will really draw people to it.
“It was always a family park; there were always parents there with the children, not just youths there on their own. I think the people of Rhyl will really enjoy this.”
Kompan, which will build the play area once the final design has been decided, constructed a similar design at Cae Ddol in Ruthin earlier this year.
Below is more information provided by Kompan on each of its designs:
Plan A: Ship- and ocean-themed
“Here you will find accessible play from the ground up, interactive games, social play and imaginative play throughout the whole site.
“Explore the Frigate ship that’s accessible by DDA (compliant) stairs and try your hand at driving.
“Juniors can try the challenging giant oceans tower by using their climbing and coordination skills to get right to the top of the tower and slide down the huge tube slide at over six metres high.
“Up the tower, you’ll find different activities along the way, and a hangout spot underneath for moments of respite and relaxation.
“Dolphins, sharks and sealions are on this site, so you can ride them through the water, try swinging on five different types of swings for all users, bounce on the trampoline, or swing on the flexus.
“There is also a fully flush inclusive roundabout for all to use together and a balance trail to test out balance and coordination.
“The sea rock climbing block can challenge climbing skills, and the ‘cocowave’ sea rope swing can form a fantastic social play piece for up to 10 users to play together at once.
“There are several chill-out seating spots for picnics by the sea, too.”
Plan B: Beach-themed
“At this playground, there are ground-level play opportunities for accessibility, such as our beachy game boards, graduating up to more challenging climbing play and risky play at height to test out how brave you are.
“We have incorporated accessible DDA stairs up to the lighthouse tower where you can enjoy sensory and tactile imaginative play before deciding on the huge tube slide journey down, or the slide at half height, wooshing back into the sand.
“You can spring and rock on the flipflops, sea creatures and the resident crab, and even drive the sand buggy with friends.
“There is a fully flush inclusive roundabout for all to enjoy together, and if you want a different spinning thrill, try out the spinning tipi carousel or spinner bowl.
“We have included five different types of swings for everyone to try out, solo or with others.
“For more challenge and to look out to sea, you can climb the lifeguard tower, and then glide quickly down the pole when you need to run to the rescue.
“We have made sure to include several seating picnic spots, too, on our bespoke stripey beach towel benches.”
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