Aquadare

Aim

Aquadare - Fundraiser To fund the annual running costs of this community volunteer led facility.

Aquadare, the free splashpad in Aberdare Park, owned and run by a group of dedicated volunteers brings thousands of children and families together every summer. It’s a place to play, cool off, and enjoy the park — without paying a penny.

But keeping Aquadare open isn’t free.

Each year it costs around £23,000 to run safely. These costs include:

• Qualified staffing and water quality monitoring
• Insurance and safety compliance
• Routine maintenance and cleaning
• Chemicals, water and essential consumables

Until now, short‑term funding helped us meet these costs. That funding has ended — and without new support, Aquadare risks not opening or being significantly reduced.

Friends of Aberdare Park is a volunteer‑led charity. We do everything we can to keep costs down and work closely with Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, but we cannot carry these running costs alone.

Why Aquadare matters

Aquadare is much more than a splashpad.

• ✅ Completely free – no tickets, no barriers, no pressure
• ✅ A lifeline for families during the cost‑of‑living crisis
• ✅ A safe, outdoor space that supports children’s health and wellbeing
• ✅ Used by thousands of local families every summer
• ✅ Hosts closed sessions for local primary schools, ensuring all children can enjoy it

We’ve also invested in solar panels and battery storage to reduce environmental impact and share clean energy with the wider park. Every decision we make is about sustainability — financial, environmental, and community‑led.

How your support helps

Every donation goes directly into keeping Aquadare open and free.

Your support will help pay for:

• Trained staff to operate the plant room for the splashpad safely
• Water quality testing and treatment
• Insurance and compliance costs
• Ongoing maintenance and cleaning

This is not about profit. It’s about protecting a much‑loved community space that already exists — so future summers aren’t lost.

Our fundraising target

Initial target: £10,000

This will:

• Cover a significant proportion of annual running costs
• Secure staffing for much of the operating season
• Strengthen our position with partners and funders
• Help guarantee Aquadare can open this year

Stretch goals

• £15,000 – full seasonal staffing covered
• £20,000 – full season secured, plus maintenance and insurance
• £23,000+ – Aquadare fully funded for the year, reducing uncertainty and protecting future summers

Every pound gets us closer to a safe, free, fully open splashpad.

How you can help

• Donate what you can — every contribution matters
• Share this page with friends, family and local businesses
• Let people know why Aquadare matters to you

If Aquadare has ever brought joy to your family, helped your children cool off on a hot day, or made Aberdare Park feel like the heart of the community — please help us keep it open.

Thank you for supporting Friends of Aberdare Park and for standing up for free play in our communityhttps://www.facebook.com/AberdareParkWales

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 13th July 2026 at 4:44pm