After years of campaigning, Newport’s Splash Pad is finally set to reopen at Tredegar Park, along with major upgrades also to nearby play areas.
The project has been funded by the UK government's Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is part of the British government’s 'Levelling Up' agenda, and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
Conservative Campaigner Michael Enea has long fought for a new Splash Pad after the facility was closed ten years ago.
Mr Enea has said:- “A new Splash Pad will be a jewel in the crown for Newport as a City. It will draw visitors into the area from miles around. Thousands of young children across the City will benefit from such a facility. It’s absolutely fantastic to see work progressing at the park.”
TEN YEARS OF CAMPAIGNING!
Read through all the key moments in the campaign to reopen Newport’s Splash Pad. 2014 to 2024.
READ: 2014 | First campaign post from Michael Enea read by tens of thousands of people - shared over 1,200 times on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/share/uYR63kS5s6hfrVwk/?mibextid=WC7FNe
PETITION: 2015 | Over 3,000 people signed a petition to reopen Newport’s Splash Park, although the petition fell on deaf ears at Newport Council.
WALESONLINE: 2016 | Five years ago this was a thriving park - now it's a dilapidated mess
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/five-years-ago-thriving-p…
PETITION: 2018 | Over 1,800 sign petition calling for upgrades to Tredegar Park.
https://www.change.org/p/councillor-malcolm-linton-make-newport-council…
BBC: 2018 | Plans drawn up to reopen the Splash Pad in 2018, but Newport Council backtracked.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45522454
WATCH: 2018 | Interview with Gwent Radio News on the merits of a new Splash Pad.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/AzKmeUXmC7dvAeo3/?mibextid=WC7FNe
READ: 2018 | Delight at potential re-opening of popular Newport splash pad at Tredegar Park.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/16862356.delight-potential-re-op…
READ: 2019 | No update from Council on plans to restore Tredegar Park splash pad.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17738508.no-update-council-plans…
WATCH: 2019 | Where is Newport’s Splash Park for our kids?
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/bzDiv1rTdqLGHRGF/?mibextid=WC7FNe
READ: 2019 | Newport splash park plan looks dead in the water after council spend funds on a different project.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/17776959.newport-splash-park-pla…
READ: 2019 | Newport’s list of shame. All the neighbouring towns and cities that have an outdoor water play facility for children.
https://www.facebook.com/share/i1rwHRSptjMyTkjN/?mibextid=WC7FNe
WATCH: 2020 | Almost 40,000 watch a campaign video to reopen Newport’s Splash Pad.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/yJa6LXNNbXrSL4UB/?mibextid=WC7FNe
READ: 2020 | Comparison campaign graphic. Newport’s derelict Splash Pad versus other active Splash Pads in the region.
https://www.facebook.com/share/pg4SuRtXmuUrXqBo/?mibextid=WC7FNe
WALESONLINE: 2020 | Newport Council sat on £225k over five years. Money that was allocated for improvements to Tredegar Park.
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/newport-council-received-…
READ: 2021 | Nostalgia campaign graphic. Bulmore Lido, Beechwood Lido and Tredegar Park Splash Pad all closed.
https://www.facebook.com/share/38LW7FMeM9JWxayM/?mibextid=WC7FNe
READ: 2022 | Newport Conservatives again pledge to reopen the Tredegar Park Splash Pad prior to the local council elections.
https://www.facebook.com/share/KiJ2otAdEVhZC2vx/?mibextid=WC7FNe
READ: 2022 | Renewed call made to reopen the Splash Pad at Tredegar Park.
https://www.facebook.com/share/BMggc3rygK8vcR7P/?mibextid=WC7FNe
SOUTH WALES ARGUS: 2022 | Parents across Newport miss the splash park in heatwaves.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/20282799.parents-across-newport-…
SOUTH WALES ARGUS: 2023 | Council wants your say on play facilities at Tredegar Park.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23751886.council-wants-say-play-…
SOUTH WALES ARGUS: 2023 | Calls for new splash pad at Tredegar Park, nine years on.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/23775289.calls-new-splash-pad-tr…
SOUTH WALES ARGUS: 2024 | Newport council eyeing deal to redevelop Tredegar Park
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24078155.newport-council-eyeing-…
SOUTH WALES ARGUS: 2024 | Newport City Council buying Tredegar Park for £500,000.
https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/news/24101842.newport-city-council-bu…
MY STORY: 2024 | How I’ve fought 10 years, long and hard, to reopen Newport’s Splash Pad.
https://www.newportconservatives.org.uk/news/long-fight-reopen-newports…
Extra special thanks to Louise Smith, Lloyd Walsh, Cllr Matthew Evans and many, many more who also campaigned for a new Splash Pad or offered their support.
