Talks held on using new pocket park for regular run

 

* Contractors at work on the new pocket park off the A539. 

Llangollen’s new “pocket park” should be perfect location for a local park run now in an advanced planning stage.

That’s the view of keen runner Mike Edwards who has been campaigning hard to establish a regular run for the area.

Park runs are free, weekly, community events all around the world.

Saturday morning events are 5k and take place in parks and open spaces. On Sunday mornings, there are 2k junior park runs for children aged four to 14.

A park run is seen as a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last.

Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate or marshal.

Mike Edwards said: “I’ve just seen llanblogger’s article on the pocket park and multi-use path to the health centre.

“I have been working for some time with Llangollen GP practice through Dr Michael Clarke and Jenny Coppock from Infinitee, a local company, to establish a park run for Llangollen. 

“We set up a core group some time ago, but obviously matters have been delayed and are on hold during the pandemic.

“The GP practice is registered as a Park Run Practice so they can encourage and socially prescribe the park run to patients in suitable circumstances. 

“I have been involved with park run for some time and normally run and volunteer at Erddig Park Run in Wrexham and was also on the core group which set up a park run at Henley Wood, Oswestry.

“Park runs quickly establish a community of local people interested in improving their health and wellbeing and the following link tells people all about it: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/”

Mr Edwards added: “We are in active discussion with David Shiel, manager of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but our park run will not be able to be launched until pandemic restrictions are removed in Wales and of course when the AoNB’s scheme on the pocket park and trail to the health centre is completed.

“This is not likely to be at the earliest till later in the year, and it may even be 2022 before we can launch, but watch this space. 

“We are using the current time to get all our ducks in a row and recently Park Run Cymru have appointed an ambassador to support and mentor us to set up the event.

“Anyone interested in the event can email us at LlangollenParkrun@googlemail.com”

Llangollen’s pocket park is being built on the former council refuse tip at Wenffrwd off the A539.

First phase of the work involves the development of a small car park and new access road which was due to be finished early this year.

Next phase means the development of trails around the site and possibly onto the canal.  

There is also an aim to create a link back to Llangollen Health Centre along part of the old railway line.

Giving an update to llanblogger recently, David Shiel of the AONB which is overseeing the project, said: "Works are proceeding well at Wenffrwd – the car park and new access road are now more or less complete.  

"We are currently working on new trails around the site which include some lovely wooded areas with fantastic views across the River Dee and along valley from the old railway line.  

"We would hope to have these works complete in the next few weeks so that the site can be open for Easter – should Covid-19 restrictions allow."