New Dragon Footprints to be included on Kingsway for Children
Dragon footprints will be among the attractions to be included on Swansea’s new-look Kingsway.
There will be a dragon footprint trail added to the revamped pedestrian-friendly location to appeal to young children and their families.
Other added features that Swansea Council are including in this transformation are grassed areas, 170 new trees and expansive paved areas.
The Kingsway Revamp
12 million pounds is being invested into the Kingsway and neighbouring streets by Swansea Council with the transformation due to be complete around the end of 2019.
It is planned for a new urban park to be created, with improved accessibility, new public areas and a two-lane 20mph road.
The reasoning behind this revamp is to try and make it an attractive environment, bringing people to live in, work in and visit the city centre.
Dilly the Dragon
Dilly the dragon is a pupil designed mascot that symbolises the council’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), was designed five years ago by Mia Parsons, then a pupil at Glyncollen Primary School.
These dragon footprints will reflect the role that pupil-designed mascot Dilly the Dragon plays as a standard-bearer for children’s rights across the council and city.
There will be around 20 Dilly the Dragon footprints laid, each around a foot square and flush with the new paving although the final route for the trail is still being considered. Dilly’s footprints will provide a little reminder of Swansea being a city that values children and young people and a place that continually works to ensure they enjoy their rights.
The mascot came about as a result of the council pledging to uphold a “due regard duty” for children’s rights.
Two existing Glyncollen pupils – 11-year-old “super ambassadors” Emily Jones and Sam Morgan – unveiled a prototype of the footprints in the city centre.
What Swansea Council Says…
Council specialists helping deliver the footprint trail include those working on education, play, children’s rights, regeneration, the environment and infrastructure.
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The dragon footprints are inspired by children who took part in a consultation we held to get views on the Kingsway scheme. They will extend the influence of Dilly, allowing us to bring him to life.”
“They’re being designed now and, when laid, will be a subtle, attractive way of showing children that the city centre is theirs to enjoy.”
Will Evans, cabinet member for children’s services (young people), said: “The footprints are being funded at a modest cost by the Kingsway project and show that the council is working hard – in innovative ways – for children and young people.”
“Swansea values children and young people. This is a city that recognises that they form a key part of our communities and our future.”
