Councillors have welcomed funds towards a £310,000 project that aims to attract more visitors to the Afan Valley with new features for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Neath Port Talbot Council has agreed to revamp public facilities at Afan Forest Park by refurbishing on-site public toilets and showers, building an accessible children's play area and improving car parking capacity.
The council's cabinet member for finance said it was "really nice" to see a council report on the plans and she was "really pleased" the project will provide disabled facilities on the site.
The council's cabinet members accepted a grant of £250,000 from the Welsh Government during a meeting held on Wednesday November 11. The council will be required to match the funding by paying an additional £60,000 from its capital budget.
There is currently no on-site play area for children at the park. The council therefore plans to construct an accessible natural play area opposite the entrance of the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre to boost spending at the centre and attract a broad range of visitors.
According to a report by the council's head of property and regeneration Simon Brennan, the existing toilets and shower facilities at the visitor centre are "tired and outdated".
The report reads: "These facilities support outdoor recreation, offering a place to clean off after a muddy bike ride or visit and support overnight stays at the informal on-site campsite.
"The refurbishment of the toilet and shower facilities would enhance the overall quality of the visitor experience and offer opportunities to run these more efficiently."
The car park currently has around 45 spaces with no lighting. The funds will go towards creating eight to ten more spaces and installing low key lighting.
As part of the project, two or three electric hook up points for motor homes will also be installed at the car park.
The funding package will also be put towards making a digital map of the mountain biking, walking and cycling trails throughout the park, indicating trail diversions and closures.
Labour councillor Arwyn Woolcock said the Welsh Government funding is "very welcome" and asked whether council officers had considered installing electric vehicle charging points at the car park.
Mr Brennan said the council "should be able to include at least one, possibly two".
Plaid Cymru councillor Nigel Hunt said the project is "an excellent investment for the authority" and the Afan Valley. He asked if a zip wire could be installed at the play area and whether the council expects a large demand for the electric hook ups.
Mr Brennan said the size of the area means a zip wire cannot be included in the plans.
"We don't have a huge amount of space up there unfortunately," he said. "And we wanted to have it in view of the cafe area for parents so that they could monitor children."
He added: "This year, because of the issues around Covid there's been a bit of an explosion in people wanting to travel away in motor homes etc so we're going to test the market there, see how it goes and whether it could be replicated in other areas."
Subject to the conditions of the Welsh Government grant, the money must be spent and the works completed by June 2021.
Neath Port Talbot-based contractor The Natural Play Company will build the playground for an estimated cost between £60,000 and £65,000.
Council officers will be working to find suitable contractors to renovate the toilets and shower building as well as the car park improvements. They are also on the hunt for a contractor to deliver a digital information point.
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