Brynmill

The Swansea waterfront promenade and cycle track crosses Brynmill across its southern boundary. This is just a few metres away from St. Helen's. Situated here is Swansea War Memorial and a memorial to Swansea Jack. The truss structure of the Oystermouth Bridge (a.k.a. Slip Bridge) is now located here. The terminus of the Mumbles land train is situated here.

Immediately south of the promenade lies Swansea Bay. Here is a large sandy beach with fairly calm waters and a very large tidal range. At high tide, the beach is almost entirely covered by Swansea Bay's waters. At low tide, it is about 1/4 mile walk to the water front.

Directly west of St. Helen's is the recreation ground. This is a venue used to host travelling funfairs and circuses. It has hosted the Moscow State Circus, the Chinese State Circus, and Gerry Cottle's Circus. The Rec, as it is referred to by locals, is also host to a seasonal Park and ride car park.

To the East of St. Helen's is Victoria Park, containing bowling greens and tennis courts. For younger children, there are swings to play on. Victoria Park contains the Patti Pavilion, which serves as a village hall, and is a venue for village fêtes, pantomime, and other theatrical entertainment, as well as music gigs. Located at the South East corner of Victoria Park is a weather station containing a Stevenson screen. The park is designated Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.[1]

Brynmill Park is the local park which is separated from Singleton Park by Brynmill Lane. Brynmill Park is a Victorian park, and contains a lake, which formerly supported a population of whooper swans, but now often hosts a pair of Mute Swans, as well as many other waterfowl. The lake was originally constructed as a reservoir, before being converted to recreational use.

In 2007, restoration work started at Brynmill Park to restore the facility to its Victorian splendour. Work at the park's play area will formed a £1.3 million scheme led by Swansea Council and part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Local councillor Peter May and the Friends of Brynmill Park have also been actively involved in the initiative. The project will incorporate the restoration of the existing bowls pavilion and a new discovery centre offering multifunctional educational facilities.

Other aspects of the Brynmill Park project include:

• The installation of two floating nesting islands on the lake to improve habitats for wild birds.
• Various aquatic planting at four areas of the lake, a reedbed and a variety of water lilies and marginal plants at the south-western lake inlet.
• The re-surfacing of paths and the installation of new seats and bins.
• The refurbishment of railings and gates.
• The demolition of the old OAP Pavilion and toilet block and the construction of temporary toilets beside the bowling green.
• The improvement of the large lawned area to the eastern side of the lake by sand slitting and connection to a restored drainage system.
• The repairing of part of the stone wall that forms the lake edge on the north-western side of the park.

Singleton Park houses the Brynmill Stream which was once the town boundary, and which was being used to power a corn mill as far back the fifteenth century. (Swansea before Industry, Swansea Museum Services.)