**Singleton Park Set for Significant Improvements Following Lottery Funding Award**
A cherished Swansea park is poised for notable enhancements as a result of a recent injection of funding. Friends of Singleton Park, an organisation driven by local residents seeking to safeguard and enrich this much-loved green space, has successfully secured a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund. The £8,400 award will underpin a comprehensive community improvement initiative set to commence this June, with wide-reaching benefits for those who visit Singleton Park.
The forthcoming ‘Improving Singleton Park – Gwella Parc Singleton’ project has been carefully outlined to deliver both practical upgrades and increased opportunities for community engagement. Visitors to the park can soon expect new picnic benches, the planting of mature trees, informative signage about local wildlife, and greater support for volunteers who dedicate their time to keeping the park in excellent condition.
Sue Davies, the chair of Friends of Singleton Park, expressed enthusiasm about the group’s plans. She commented, “This funding allows us to do more than ever before to support and enhance our beloved park.” Davies outlined the vision of creating “a welcoming, educational and tranquil space” where the community can come together, learn, and enjoy relaxation close to nature.
Among the key improvements set out in the project are the installation of three new picnic tables, designed to offer communal seating and provide a friendly environment for socialising. The addition of mature trees aims not only to replace those lost to storms in recent years but also to bolster the park’s overall biodiversity, supporting a greater variety of plant and animal life.
To complement these practical changes, new information boards will soon stand at various points within Singleton Park. These boards are intended to educate visitors about the park’s history, ecology, and the various species that can be found there – enriching the experience for both regular users and first-time guests. Volunteers, whose contributions are crucial to the upkeep and improvement of the park, will also benefit from new equipment, including hoodies and shirts to support their efforts and foster a sense of cohesion among the team.
Outreach is a significant aspect of the project. Publicity campaigns, harnessing social media, school partnerships and engagement with local groups, will be launched to ensure wider awareness of activities, future events, and opportunities for volunteering. The intention is to attract an even more diverse group of people to participate in the park’s ongoing care and activities.
Working closely with Swansea Council’s parks department, Friends of Singleton Park continues to deliver grassroots initiatives that supplement and enhance existing public services. Their activities already extend beyond practical maintenance: nature walks, wildlife events, and participation in nationwide schemes such as the RSPB Annual Birdwatch all form part of their efforts to engage the community and promote conservation.
Sue Davies emphasised the wider value of the new project, stating, “By bringing people together through nature, we hope to build stronger local connections, improve mental wellbeing, and foster a sense of shared ownership and pride in our green spaces.” The group is determined that Singleton Park should remain a safe, attractive and thriving space for everyone, regardless of background or age.
The Friends of Singleton Park is open to new volunteers and supporters keen to make a difference locally. Those interested in taking part, or simply learning more, are encouraged to visit the group’s Facebook page or to contact them via email.
Singleton Park, already a landmark destination within Swansea owing to both its tranquil setting and recent novel additions—such as the newly installed dinosaur figures at the boating lake—appears set for an exciting new chapter, thanks to the coordinated efforts of dedicated volunteers and fresh funding. With the planned improvements on the horizon, the park is anticipated to continue flourishing as both a sanctuary for wildlife and a gathering place for the whole community.