* 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."
