It hasn't been the best few months for Pontypridd after the town was hit by floods and the coronavirus outbreak began - but this week some better news has been announced.
A lot of Ynysangharad War Memorial Park was damaged due to Storm Dennis and while it re-opened to the public just a couple of weeks ago, many facilities remain closed.
Now plans have been released as to when major parts of the park will re-open.
After sustaining a significant amount of damage during Storm Dennis in February the National Lido of Wales, Lido Ponty, will welcome back the public next Easter.
The news comes after the park re-opened on Wednesday, May 27 following the completion of remedial works to repair the damage to footways and railings adjacent to the river.
Residents are now able to use the open space for their daily exercise providing that social distancing is maintained at all times.
Even though the park is open again works to a number of the facilities are still ongoing, or due to start shortly, and further updates regarding specific projects have been revealed.
Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, County Borough Councillor Andrew Morgan, said: “Storm Dennis brought the worst flooding witnessed in a generation and certainly since Rhondda Cynon Taf was formed, with thousands of residents and businesses suffering internal damage to their properties, along with a substantial amount of damage to public facilities including highways, structures and buildings.
“With Pontypridd being particularly badly affected, Ynysangharad War Memorial Park was also heavily flooded with a number of facilities in the grounds badly damaged, including the Lido Ponty."
He added: "The close following of the coronavirus national emergency has hindered the council’s progress in carrying out the necessary works, although I am pleased to confirm that, based on the current situation, the facility will re-open to the public next Easter and if possible we will consider an event before then should the situation regarding coronavirus allow us.
“Over the coming weeks and months, a number of projects will be underway to repair and deliver improvements to the Lido and the wider Park area, and I look forward to seeing these progress.
“We have recently been able to re-open Ynysangharad War Memorial Park for residents to make use of for their daily exercise and I would encourage those making use of the park to continue to maintain social distancing at all times.”
