Cwrt Y Vil Field Sports Festival

📅 Date: 30 July 2024

📍 Location of Engagement: Cwrt Y Vil Field, Penarth

🗣️ Who we spoke to: Around 30 young people attending the sports festival, plus a few parents and wellbeing service staff

Facilitators: Vale Youth Service and Vale of Glamorgan Council Placemaking Officers

🙋 Type of engagement:
Informal one-to-one conversations using questionnaires during the sports festival to gather views on what young people like about Penarth, what could be improved, and future priorities.

🚀 Emerging Themes

  • Parks & Green Spaces: Parks and the pier were the most valued features; Cosmeston and Belle Vue Park also mentioned.
  • Youth Facilities: Strong demand for more MUGAs, skate parks, and youth clubs (including ALN provision).
  • Infrastructure & Amenities: Need for more public toilets, water refill stations, and affordable food options.
  • Activities & Events: Requests for community events, cinema, watersports, aqua park, splash pad, and outdoor gyms.
  • Safety & Maintenance: Concerns about Cogan Park and calls for better maintenance of existing parks.
  • Town Centre & Seafront: Suggestions for more entertainment and catering on the pier; seafront seen as underutilized.

💬 Comments

“More public toilets and water fountains – especially in parks.”

“Cogan Park – needs updating.”

“We need a youth club with gaming, music, and entertainment.”

“Something down the seafront – cinema and more catering space on the pier.”

“See Pontypridd Lido Park for a good example – zipline and trampolines.”

“Things are expensive for 11-year-olds and above – not much for them to do.”

📢 Summary
Young people value Penarth’s parks, pier, and green spaces but feel there is a lack of facilities and activities for older children and teenagers. Key priorities include more MUGAs, skate parks, youth clubs, and improved park maintenance. Infrastructure improvements such as public toilets, water refill stations, and affordable food options were highlighted. There is also interest in making the seafront more vibrant with entertainment and alternative catering offerings. Overall, feedback shows a desire for inclusive, well-maintained spaces and affordable activities to keep young people engaged locally.