The Ultimate Guide to Spaces for Playing in This guide has been produced by The Conwy Play Development Team. The Conwy Play Development Team do loads to support children’s play. If you have any questions about this guide or play in general please get in touch: [email protected] or 4...... So What’s This All About? 01492 523 857 5...... Benefits of Playing Outdoors

There are loads of great play spaces that we didn’t have room for, 6...... Top Tips for Getting Outdoors tell us your favourite at www.facebook.com/conwyplaydevelopment 7...... Inclusive Play Spaces 8...... Map This is the second edition of the guide and the first edition can be found here: http://cvsc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/ 9 – 14...... Destinations Go-and-Play-Conwy-English-1.pdf 15 – 19..... Beaches 16...... Top Tips for playing Safely by Water

20 – 31..... Playgrounds 32 – 40..... Woods and Walks 33...... Top tips for playing in the countryside 41...... Children’s Rights

What do the pictures mean? The space is good for:

History/ Tree Climbing Fixed Wheelchair Adventure Equipment Users

Culture Parking Ball Games Water

We have been Wildlife Dens Sand Wheels helped by:

design: viewcreative.co.uk We found that lots of people think children We think it is important for children to have time to play outside should be outside playing more and inside with their families and equally important to spend time with less but adults often find it difficult to friends exploring their local community. We think the best type of play is when children are given the time, space let children go out to play. and permission to choose what they want to do. We call this play that is freely chosen, intrinsically This second edition of the guide aims to motivated and self directed. give you some new ideas about where you can go and what you can do when playing Engaging in freely chosen play outside. This guide includes some of the can have some of the following best beaches, parks, playgrounds, woods amazing benefits; and nature reserves in Conwy. All the entries are labelled with facilities that the space offers although there are loads of activities we haven’t included and Extending skills Developing physical its up to you to come up with them! and emotional capacities Challenging ourselves in new ways and gaining direct We hope that with the help of this guide you will put experience of the consequences of our your wellies on and run, jump, splash, climb, hide and actions Building resilience Attachments to people and places Increased well being seek, paddle and crawl your way through some of the and mental health IT’S REALLY FUN !!! best play spaces Conwy can offer.

4 5 Getting

Outdoors Within this guide we have included children to explore on their own Put on your warmest coat or best information on physical access to terms. Some sites allow for greater the play spaces and what you will exploration by giving good lines of sunhat and take some snacks and find there. We recognise however, sight so adults can supervise children a drink, adventuring is hungry work! that these are not the only barriers from a distance – beaches and parks to access for children and that are good for this. Some children Take a watch/phone/alarm: if you set it for however long you have to access is only about children prefer to be in quieter spaces and play you will know when it is time to go home. Make it clear where your physically getting somewhere - here woodlands can provide the the term ‘inclusion’ is about children opportunity to create their own safe boundaries are and stick to them. If you decide to go somewhere different feeling that they want to be in the haven. Some children prefer more tell whoever is looking after you first. Take stuff to play with like cardboard space once they are there. direction to their play in order to help boxes, rope, old tyres, wooden planks and material but make sure you them settle into an environment, the bring it home again! Good things to do to get you started: The outdoor environment offers a playgrounds within this guide provide range of play opportunities that do this direction through traditional play Here are some good things to get you started from the National Trust’s list of 50 things not dictate to children how they equipment but also allow exploration to do before you’re 11¾: should play or interact with them. around the boundary of the site as Climb a tree Make a daisy chain Natural materials like leaves, pine children become more comfortable in Roll down a really big hill Set up a snail race cones, water, sand, grass and mud the space. Build a den Create some wild art can be played with, touched, smelt Skim a stone Play pooh sticks and experienced alongside natural We have tried to include information Fly a kite Jump over waves features like trees, boulders, mounds about the accessibility of each Catch a fish with a net Make a home for a wild animal and plants in many ways and this play space including its facilities. Play conkers Build a raft versatility helps children to experience However, because these are public Go on a really long bike ride Hunt for bugs these play spaces on their own terms. spaces they can change, so if you are Make a trail with sticks Go bird watching concerned about accessing a space Make a mud pie Make a grass trumpet When taking children to outdoor we would recommend researching Dam a stream Go on a walk barefoot play spaces, we encourage adults to some more before you go. If you would like to find out more, then check outwww.50things.org.uk support the play process by allowing 6 7 Llandudno Rhyl

5 16 Kinmel Bay 6 Colwyn 8 15 24 Bay Llanddulas 9 11 12 1 Abergele 14 9 10 Llanduno 22 21 Junction 2 Llysfaen 4 Bodelwyddan 7 Dwygyfylchi 13 Llanfairfechan

Rowen Trofarth

19 Llannefydd Llanfair Talhaiarn Llanbedr-y-Cennin Llangernyw Llansannan

Llanwrst 17 Bylchau 20 Melin-y-Coed

Capel Curig

23 Capel Betws-y-Coed Garmon Nebo NATIONAL PARK 18 Rhydlanfair Pentre-llyn- Cymmer Dolwyddelan 3 Pentrefoelas Cerrigydrudion DESTINATIONS BEACHESCwm Penmachno playgrounYsbyty Ifan ds WOODS & WALKS 1 TAPE Community 6 West Shore Beach 13 Gyffin Park 20  Maerdy Music and Film 7 Penmaenmawr Prom 14 Morfa Park 21 Fairy Glen 2 Adventure TrailBlaenau Abergele Ffestiniog 8 Kimnel Bay Dunes 15 Cwm Howard Green Space 22 Nant y Groes 3 Dolwyddelan Castle 16 Queen’s Park Nature Reserve 4 9 Wynn Gardens 17 Pen y Dre Park 23 Betws Y Coed River Walk 5 Oriel Mostyn Gallery 10 Cae Derw Park 18 Pentrefolas Park and 24 Little Orme 11 Tir Prince Park Picnic Site 8 12 Pentywyn Road Park 19 Eglwysbach Park 9 1. TAPE Community Music and Film 2. Adventure Trail Abegele

ADDRESS: TAPE Community Arts Centre, Berthes Road, Old Colwyn, ADDRESS: Adventure Trail, Primrose Hill, St.George, Abergele LL22 9BU Conwy LL29 9SD COST: Adult 1: with each paying child / Child: £8 / Under 3’s: COST: Some projects: £2.50 10% discount on entry if you present this guide

FACILITIES: Creative and Art Projects, Community Cinema, Youth Clubs, Recording Studio, BFI Film FACILITIES: Toilets, Baby Changing, Academy, Podcasts, Animation Club. Picnic areas, Adventure Trail.

ACCESSIBILITY: Fully accessible and inclusive. ACCESSIBILITY: The trail is generally pushchair friendly but in wet weather, it may TAPE supports people of all ages to explore their creative ideas and interests become more difficult (ring ahead to check). through inclusive workshops, projects and events. Check out the website to find out what’s going on!www.tapemusicandfilm.co.uk The trail winds through beautiful woods with over 50 games and challenges along the way, ‘A surprise around every corner’. A perfect adventure for all the family. They have events and new additions throughout the year so check out www.adventuretrail. or AdventureTrailAbergele 10 11 Crown copyright (2018), Cadw Crown copyright (2018), Cadw Crown copyright (2018), Cadw Crown copyright (2018), Cadw

3. Dolwyddelan Castle 4. Conwy Castle

ADDRESS: Dolwyddelan Castle, A470 LL25 0JD ADDRESS: Conwy Castle, Rose Hill Street, Conwy LL32 8AY From Dolwyddelan head west towards Blaenau Ffestiniog on A470. Parking for the castle is 1km outside of Dolwyddelan village on the right hand side COST: Adult: £9.50 / Family: £27.50 / Member: Disabled Person and companion: / Student and children under16: £5.70 COST: Adult: £4.00 / Family: £11.60 / Member: Senior Citizen: £7.60 / Children under 5: - Prices valid until March 2019 Disabled person and companion: / Student and Children under16: £2.40 Senior Citizen: £3.20 / Children under 5: - Prices valid until March 2019 FACILITIES: Castle, Pay and Display Parking, Toilets, Baby Changing, Café, Gift Shop. FACILITIES: Castle ruins, Walk, Toilets, Parking. ACCESSIBILITY: Castle is on high ground with access from visitor centre via timber road bridge and steep concrete ramp and steps. Wheelchairs restricted to ACCESSIBILITY: Lots of steps and uneven paths. Steep climb to the castle from carpark visitor centre only. Buggy access difficult. approx. 500 meters. Breathtaking Medieval Castle. Two barbicans (fortified gateways), eight massive 13th century fortress built by the Prince of Gwynedd, Llywelyn Fawr (Llywelyn the towers and a great bow-shaped hall all sit on a narrow rocky outcrop. Explore Great). The castle is partly in ruins which means you can explore every inch of it. the castle walls and inside the great hall and kitchens to get a real taste for Be sure to take your armour, swords and bows and arrows for an adventurous time medieval life. Look out for special events with jesters and storytellers bringing defending your fortress! Be careful of steep edges and drops around the castle. the castle to life: www.cadw.gov.wales/daysout/conwycastle 12 www.cadw.gov.wales/daysout/dolwyddelan-castle 13 5. Oriel Mostyn Gallery

ADDRESS: 12 Vaughan St, Llandudno LL30 1AB

COST: All exhibitions and art explorer activities are free. There is a charge for workshops and booking is advised.

FACILITIES: Art exhibitions, art and craft workshops, café, shop, baby changing facilities, breastfeeding friendly.

ACCESSIBILITY: Fully Accessible. MOSTYN is a family friendly gallery, café and shop rolled into one and within easy walking distance to the beach! There are Children’s Art Explorer activities for every exhibition and creative workshops for kids and adults! Visit www.mostyn.org or MostynGallery

14 15 Playing Safely by Water Water is one of nature’s best play things and all children should be able to experience playing in, with and around water. However it is important to keep in mind the dangers of water and stay safe. 6. West Shore Beach Only play by or in water If you see someone else in with an adult trouble, tell a lifeguard. If ADDRESS: West Parade, Llandudno LL30 2BB you can’t see a lifeguard, Check weather and tide call 999 or 112 and ask for COST: There is a charge for the minature railway times before you go; even the Coastguard but don’t on a calm day the current attempt a rescue yourself can be strong FACILITIES: Pay and Display Parking, Find out about your chosen Fixed Equipment, Outdoor Gym, If you get into trouble, beach before you go at stick your hand in the air Sand Dunes, Beach (sand & rocks), goodbeachguide.co.uk and shout for help Minature Railway, Café, Toilets. Remember rivers also Read any safety signs at have strong currents so ACCESSIBILITY: The prom is wheelchair and buggy accessible at either end, there are the beach or river to make take care and only play in tarmacked paths linking the features. yourself aware of specific calm, shallow sections local hazards This expanse of seafront has loads of things to do, explore the sandy and pebble Rocks and boulders by rivers beach or play in the small dunes. There is fixed play equipment as well as grassy Never use inflatables in are fun for playing but take areas for ball games. strong winds or rough seas care when they get slippery

Find more at www.riverandseasense.com 16 17 7. Penmaenmawr Prom 8. Kinmel Bay Dunes

ADDRESS: Promenade, Penmaenmawr LL34 6NJ ADDRESS: St Asaph Ave, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl LL18 5EZ

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Café, Skate park, Cycle Track, FACILITIES: Beach, Café, Dunes, Beach (rock and sand), Toilets, Benches, Cycle Path, Pay and Display Parking. Pay and Display Parking, Paddling Pool.

ACCESSIBILITY: There is a paved path on the beachfront accessible for all. ACCESSIBILITY: The promenade is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs. There is a sandy beach so plenty of opportunites to perfect your castles or dig This promenade has lots of cool features including a large skatepark, fixed play to Australia! The nearby dunes are ideal for exploring, rolling down and playing area and beach. It’s a pebble and sandy beach so be sure to test your stone hide and seek. skimming skills.

18 19 9. Wynn Gardens

ADDRESS: Wynn Gardens, Old Colwyn LL29 9RD

COST:

FACILITIES: Butterfly garden, Benches.

ACCESSIBILITY: This park is tarmacked throughout and fully accessible from 3 entrances. There is lovely planting which attracts wildlife and plenty of benches to sit and chill. Explore the outskirts of this park for plenty of den making, and hidden spaces. There are also some trees waiting to be climbed!

20 21 10. Cae Derw Park 11. Tir Prince Park

ADDRESS: Cae Derw, Llandudno Junction LL31 9AR ADDRESS: Towyn Road, Towyn LL22 9HL

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Planting, FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Football Goals, Sculptures. Outdoor Gym, Pond, Skate Park.

ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible entrances, tarmacked paths throughout the park. ACCESSIBILITY: Paved footpaths throughout the park, play areas are mainly grass. This large park has plenty of opportunities to play. There is a large fixed play area The play area has exciting equipment like a spider climbing frame and pendulum with climbing net, zip wire and basket swing. Interesting planting and sculptures swing and is suitable for all ages. There are full size football pitches. Why not test to look at and two football pitches (with smaller goals for younger children). your muscles on the outdoor gym, or show off your skills on the cool skate park? There are also lots trees and a large pond perfect for exploring and saying Hi to the ducks!

22 23 12. Pentywyn Road Park 13. Gyffin Park

ADDRESS: Tan y Fron, Deganwy LL31 9YL ADDRESS: Mill Hill, Gyffin, Conwy LL32 8NN

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Football Football Pitch, Benches. Pitch, Picnic Bench, Parking.

ACCESSIBILITY: Mainy grass with limited paved pathways. ACCESSIBILITY: There are tarmacked paths surrounding the wider park, the play This park has fixed play equipment with a fun basket swing. There are 3 large area is mainly grass with a paved footpath linking to benches. trees perfect for climbing. The field next to the park has a couple of football This park has interesting play items such as a wide slide and castle climbing goals - great for a kick around. structure. The wider park has plenty of open grass space for games as well as a couple of trees for climbing and wildflowers to play in.

24 25 14. Morfa Park 15. Cwm Howard Green Space

ADDRESS: Whinacres, Conwy LL32 8ET ADDRESS: Maes y Cwm, Llandudno LL301JE

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, MUGA, FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Benches. Skate Park, Trim Trail, Parking. ACCESSIBILITY: Play spaces have accessible paths. ACCESSIBILITY: The park is flat, mainly grass with 2 tarmacked paths. Recently Cartrefi Conwy have redeveloped lots of areas within this estate with There is a fixed play area surrounded by a trim trail. Lots of open space with a children in mind. There are some fantastic spaces that support children’s play, MUGA including a net and goal. There is also a small skate park for wheeled play. you’ll find slides, creative planting, colourful toadstools and even a caterpillar made of boulders! Be sure to have a walk around and explore.

26 27 16. Queen’s Park 17. Pen y Dre Park

ADDRESS: Queens Road, Craig y Don LL30 1TH ADDRESS: Llys Onnen, Pentrebach, Gwytherin, Conwy LL22 8UU

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Zip Wire, FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Picnic Picnic Area. Benches, Football Goals, River.

ACCESSIBILITY: Tarmacked paths and grass, accessible for buggies and wheelchair ACCESSIBILITY: There is a tarmacked path in the play area however it is mostly grass. users. This park has fixed play equipment and football goals. There is a river alongside The park has some great pieces of fixed play equipment including a zip wire. the park so bring some wellies and get dam building! There are also some There is lots of grass space for games. Test your fitness on the children’s awesome hills for rolling down, bring a sledge in snowy weather. outdoor gym trail!

28 29 18. Pentrefoelas Park and Picnic Site 19. Eglwysbach Park

ADDRESS: Pentrefoelas LL24 0LE ADDRESS: Eglwysbach Road, Eglwysbach LL28 5UD

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Picnic Site, Walking Trails, River, FACILITIES: Fixed Equipment, Bike Track, Fixed Equipment, Football and Rugby Football Goals, Parking. Goals, Toilets (20p), Parking, Café.

ACCESSIBILITY: The play area is mainly grass. ACCESSIBILITY: There are no tarmacked paths, play area and walking trails are mainly grass. This park has a variety of fixed play equipment including a basket swing. There are natural mounds and hills making a unique bike trail - bring your mud guards! This space has lots of opportunities for play. There is a fixed play area and goals for football and rugby. The picnic area and trail have lots of features for exploring including information on the history of the area. Build dens in the trees and stone structures or have a game of hide and seek.

30 31 Playing in the Countryside Nature provides the best playgrounds in the world and it is proven that connecting to nature increases people’s sense of well being. As with all the spaces in this guide the countryside is a place that needs to be cared for so please follow the Country Side Code.

Respect Protect Enjoy Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home Respect other people Consider the local community Keep dogs under effective and other people enjoying the control outdoors Leave gates and property as Enjoy the outdoors and stay you find them and follow paths safe unless wider access is available Plan ahead and be prepared Protect the natural environment Follow advice and local signs

32 33

Llyn Crafnant Walking Trails

Llyn Crafnant Clogwyn Pryfed 20. Llyn Crafnant

ADDRESS: Trefiw LL27 0JZ Take the B5106 from Conwy or Betws-y-Coed to Trefriw, then follow signs for Llyn Crafnant

COST: Cost for Boat Hire Mynydd Deulyn

FACILITIES: Parking, Woodland Facts Trail, Toilets and Baby Changing, Picnic Benches, Lake, Café Coed t â l y llyn

To Trefriw and Boat Hire Open Easter - Late Summer.

ACCESSIBILITY: Afon Crafnant Amble is wheelchair accessible. Llyn Geirionedd Lots to discover here and various trails to follow (all signposted from the car park), try skimming stones on the lake. Head for the Afon Crafnant Amble for an accessible, short walk with lots of opportunities to play in the woods - just follow the white waymarkers. Crafnant takes its name from “craf”, an old Welsh word for garlic, and “nant”, a stream or valley - can you smell the wild garlic growing around the lake? naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/north-west- 34 wales/gwydir-forest-park/llyn-crafnant 35 , Crafnant

To Llyn Geirionedd River Walk and Marin Trail 21. Fairy Glen 22. Nant y Groes Nature Reserve

ADDRESS: Mill Drive, Old Colwyn LL29 9UY ADDRESS: Nant-Y-Glyn Road, Colwyn Bay LL29 7RD

COST: COST:

FACILITIES: Woodland, Walk, River. FACILITIES: Woodland, Walk, Stream.

ACCESSIBILITY: There is an accessible path for wheelchairs and buggies. ACCESSIBILITY: Very uneven path and a few steps, not accessible for wheelchair users This is a lovely short walk in the woods next to the river with plenty of features and buggies. to inspire you. Stop on one of the bridges for a game of pooh sticks and look This small woodland is ideal for a short exploration. Walk alongside Nant y Groes out for the fairies! stream with lots of trees and spaces to get out playing in.

36 37 Llyn Parc, Crafnant

To Llyn Geirionedd River Walk and Marin Trail Start Finsh

station

Train 23. Betws Y Coed River Walk museum Railway ADDRESS: Walk begins next to Snowdonia National Park Visitors Centre, Royal Oak Stables, Betws-y-Coed LL24 0AH pebble beach Vioduct and kissing gate Steps and Golf Course Suspension COST: Cost for Railway Musuem bridge

FACILITIES: Walk, River, Suspension Pebble beach Bridge, Church, Railway Musuem, Steps Visitors Centre.

ACCESSIBILITY: The walk is uneven and there are some steps, not accessible for wheelchair users and buggies.

Trefriw and Llanwrst A fun, varied 45 minute walk around a golf course starting through the gate To Llandudno, marked private. There are lots of pebble beaches along the river to stop at and even boulders to climb on. The walk passes a church open for visitors and a suspension bridge over the river - do you dare jump on it and feel the wobble?! The walk finishes at the railway musuem. 38 39 Children’s rights are all the things that children and young people need to make sure that they are safe, have the things they need to survive and develop, and have a say in decisions that affect their lives.

Rights are something everyone has as a result of being born. No one has power to take them away, they do not have to be earned because everyone 24. Little Orme is entitled to them.

ADDRESS: Penrhyn Close, Penryhn Bay LL30 3AH Accessible entrance on Penrhyn Beach E Road LL30 3RN The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an

COST: international agreement and a list of all of the rights of children up to the age of 18. FACILITIES: Walk, Wildlife, Boulders. Article 31 of the UNCRC says all ACCESSIBILITY: There are steep steps up to the Little Orme via access from Penrhyn children have A Right to Play, Rest Beach E Road. The accessible entrance is located on Penrhyn Close Road. and Leisure. This means that not only A fantastic, expansive space. There are lots of natural boulders for climbing, is play really important for all children slopes for sliding and spaces to make dens. You may even get lucky and spot a it is also their right! seal in Angel Bay! Be careful of steep cliff edges as not all are clearly marked, take care when playing there. To find out more about children’s rights visit www.childcomwales.org.uk

40 41 Your Notes