Trecenydd residents are trying to raise cash to fix up their local park and playing field for children to enjoy.
The facilities have been devastated by vandalism, litter and neglect and are currently in a state of disrepair.
The recently formed New Trecenydd Residents’ Association has been meeting with councillors to ask for help and is organising a fun day to raise funds.
Anne Love, secretary of the residents’ association, said: “The park we’ve got is not fit for anyone to play in – there’s sewage going into it.
“We just want to get it up and running for the children and get it back to what it used to be.
“But parks are expensive. We’d like to raise around £10,000 as we want to install an outdoor gym for the kids to exercise and promote a good lifestyle.
“As we live on a council estate and we’re a Communities First area there’s not much money about and the children’s idea of fun is just drinking and smoking.”
Trecenydd councillors met with the residents’ association on April 8 and pledged £5,000 to the cause.
Plaid Cymru councillor for the ward Lindsay Whittle, who is also an Assembly Member, said: “The ward councillors have managed to acquire £5,000 from a council community fund which will be used to improve the surface of the playing field. The council has also agreed to reseed and flatten parts of the field.
“Play equipment has been damaged and set fire to in the past but we are very hopeful that the council will provide new equipment.
“The residents’ group in Trecenydd has been working really hard and they are holding a fun day next month to raise funds to further improve facilities in the field. Everyone in the community is pulling together which is great.”
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesperson said: “The Grange Close playground in Trecenydd is a small satellite playground with three items of equipment – cradle swings, junior multi-play unit and a carousel.
“The site is regularly inspected as part of the council’s programme of playground inspections, and any issues are dealt with promptly as they arise.
“There is a possibility of an upgrade of some of the play equipment at a future date, subject to funding.”
• The New Trecenydd Residents’ Association is holding a fundraiser at the football field on May 2 from 12pm to 5pm.
There will be a bouncy castle, soft play, live music, characters from Disney’s Frozen, including Elsa and Anna, stalls and much more.