LLYN Llech Owain Country Park has received the prestigious Green Flag Award for the very first time, whilst Pembrey Country Park has also retained its Green Flag status – the international mark of a quality park or green space.
The Green Flag Award programme is delivered in Wales by environmental charity Keep Wales Tidy, with support from Welsh Government. Independent green space experts volunteered their time in early autumn to judge applicant sites against eight strict criteria, including biodiversity, cleanliness, environmental management, and community involvement.
Cllr Gareth John, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure Culture and Tourism said: “We are very fortunate, in Carmarthenshire, to boast two beautiful Country Parks that are worthy of the Green Flag Award.
“Whilst Pembrey Country Park has long established its status as one of Wales’s best green spaces, the £185,000 funding secured by Carmarthenshire County Council, from Welsh Government’s Valleys Regional Park scheme, has been invested into Llyn Llech Owain Country Park to provide excellent facilities to visitors.
“People who visit Llyn Llech Owain can now enjoy an augmented reality explorer trail that forms part of a series of improvements at the park, including visitor and education centres, a revamped early years children’s playground, landscaping and upgraded footpaths, and a Wellbeing Work-hub for people to work and hold meetings in its peaceful surroundings.”
Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James said: “Our local green spaces have a vital role to play in connecting us to nature. These awards go to prove that Wales’ parks and similar areas are doing a wonderful job in providing quality places to relax and enjoy.
“The standard required to achieve Green Flag status is very high so I want to congratulate all of the sites recognised for providing excellent, year-round facilities to local people and visitors alike.
“It’s fantastic to see we still hold more than a third of the UK’s Green Flag community sites in Wales – especially as the last two years have taught us all of the importance of nature and green spaces on our mental and physical wellbeing.”
Lucy Prisk, Green Flag Coordinator at Keep Wales Tidy said: “With more visitors than ever enjoying our green spaces, I’d like to congratulate the hard work of staff and volunteers who have maintained excellent standards at these sites.”
A full list of award winners can be found on the Keep Wales Tidy website www.keepwalestidy.cymru
Find out more about Llyn Llech Owain Country Park and Pembrey Country Park by visiting www.discovercarmarthenshire.com
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