Stryt Las Park

Park

Explorer Tom

Stryt Las Park sits between Rhos and Johnstown with ponds, trees and a giant newt sculpture standing in for a very real and much smaller neighbour. The great crested newts are the stars here, even when they refuse to appear for visitors. Tom has offered to act as their press officer; they prefer to keep a low profile. The park's ponds and grassland are part of a protected Wrexham area shared with nearby Bonc yr Hafod. Great crested newts are rare across much of northern Europe, and this patch of low ground matters to their survival. Frogs, toads and other newts live here too, while birds use the water and woodland. The sculpture is an easy landmark, but the living animals need undisturbed habitat, not a crowd peering into every pond. Follow the surfaced paths around the water and through the trees. You may see ducks or swans, and changes in the season bring different plants and sounds. A walk can be simple and short without being dull: notice how the open grass, ponds and shade make different small worlds. Tom claims the sculpture grows a little each time someone calls it a lizard. It has not moved, and the real newts would appreciate being called by their proper name. Wrexham Council manages this public park, with a small car park near Cwm Glas and Park Street. Check current notices before travelling, keep dogs under control and give birds and pond edges room. The council asks visitors not to feed the water birds. Leave with a better reason to protect a pond than any dramatic monster story could provide.