Parents in Llanidloes are calling for at least one of the town's five playparks to be renovated into a "super park" like the one built in Newtown.

Councillor Glyn Preston told Llanidloes Town Council that parents "look with envy at Newtown with a brand-new play park which looks pretty fantastic".

Councillors were told that some parks "look pretty depressing" with unsafe swings removed.

Cllr Preston said Powys County Council "can do better" with "much of the frustration" from parents were about parks ran by the local authority.

The five playparks in Llanidloes are The Recreation Ground, Dolgwenith, Maesydrew, Victoria Avenue and Hafrenydd.

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Local parent Rachel Mills started a petition in July calling for the renovation of children's playparks in the town.

She said: "As a mother who adores spending time with her children, I find it disheartening that in our lovely town of Llanidloes, we do not have a park where joyous memories can be created, and fun is safe and accessible for all.

"We have five parks, yet none of them were recently renovated, rendering most of them hazardous due to outdated or broken play equipment. As a result, families like mine have to travel to surrounding areas to access nicer parks.

"In light of the ongoing cost of living crisis, it's vital to notice that not all families can afford the extra cost of travelling or engaging in extracurricular activities. A good park should not be a luxury; it is an essential space for children's growth and wellbeing. It is a matter of public health and equity.

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"Our town, full of children's laughter and potential, deserves a park to be proud of—one that breeds fun-learning, and where countless precious family moments can be made. We envision a park that breathes life into our community, transforming it into a magnet not only for children but for families and friends to come together.

"We urge our local council to acknowledge this need. We seek their commitment to renovate at least one of our parks, ensuring that it is fit for purpose, enjoyable, and inclusive for everyone to use throughout the year. We ask them to invest in the present and future of our children, to support their development and improve their wellbeing."

A public meeting was held during the summer to gather views and share ideas about what play facilities local parents think were needed in the town. But only four people came along to the meeting.

The key takeaway from the meeting was developing a "super park" and the next step was parents looking at funding streams.

Llanidloes Mayor Cllr Jamie Jones suggested that parents could meet with the town council to discuss their views.