By Dale Spridgeon

Copyright dailypost

Parents and children in Beaumaris are appealing for help to protect the future of a much-loved play park amid ongoing uncertainty. They have pledged to fight to protect the Thomas Close play area in the Maes Hyfryd housing estate as a safe spot for local children.

The leafy park with a large wooden castle, swings and other equipment was run for many years under the former charitable body the Thomas Close Play Park Association with a board of trustees. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter – sent every Friday

But over the years, activity had dwindled as people involved are thought to have either moved away, stepped down or passed away.

More than a decade ago, it had been thought the park’s future was secure for the next century after it had been granted special status to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It had received Royal approval becoming one of the 200 Fields in Trust parks across the country granted during the Jubilee year.

The then chairman of the association Nigel Black was reported as saying that the condition stipulated the land, owned by Anglesey County Council but leased, must be used as a park for 99 years.

After becoming run down, the park had also seen an £180,000 makeover, with dignitaries and VIPs attending to mark its reopening.

Now, again, tired and in need of maintenance and attention, moves are afoot to transfer the lease to another organisation, with discussions being held between Beaumaris Town Council, the County Council and the Seiriol Alliance, but no decision has been made.

Local resident and grandmother Nia Short said her autistic grandson “loved” the park and credited his playing there with helping him to boost his confidence and development.

“We had a public meeting at the school about three years ago. At that time, trustees were stepping down, the community had fallen away and the town council had stopped maintaining it,” she said.

“The children faced having nowhere to play safely. Parents from the community worked hard to try and get things sorted, we even managed to get some funding pledged, but hit so many closed doors.

“Nobody seemed to know anything, communication about the park had been poor.

“Then, a few weeks ago, we had heard there were plans to lock it up, but we were determined to fight that.”

Local families and children joined together to put up banners, featuring children’s hand prints declaring “Hands Off Our Park”.

Nia added: “Some people had said ‘oh well, the children can just use the park down in the town,’ near Beaumaris Castle. It is very well looked after but it’s at a distance and is mainly used by visitors.

“Our park is local for kids in the estate. We can’t have our young ones wandering down to the town. It’s been very busy in Beaumaris this summer. It’s dangerous.

“It is right on our doorsteps, it’s much safer for them to play here. Families have been willing to try and help but we just don’t know what is happening.

“We are appealing for someone, please to do something about it. The longer it goes on the park is deteriorating and it will get harder to save.

“They can try and put all the padlocks on they want, but we will fight it”. Access to the site currently remains available.

The grandmother added: “My grandson has autism, he can’t deal with going into town, this is his safe place. Stopping him going there will just cause confusion and distress.”

A spokesperson for the Beaumaris Town Council said it had made “no decisions” in relation to the park. They said: “We made recommendations for certain councillors to meet with an officer of the Isle of Anglesey County Council who are the landlords to discuss matters.

“No further actions have been taken by the Council. As far as we are aware the park is vested in the names of three individuals.”

A spokesperson for Anglesey County Council, said: “The Thomas Close Play Area does not fall under the responsibility of the County Council.

“The site is leased to the Thomas Close Children’s Play Area Association, with the lease formally held in the names of three individual trustees.

“We understand that the trustees are currently seeking to transfer the lease to another organisation, and we believe that discussions have already taken place with Seiriol Alliance and Beaumaris Town Council regarding this matter.”

Attempts also were made to contact the Seiriol Alliance and to contact the trustees and councillors. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now .