Council closes its parks in response to Coronavirus

All Carmarthenshire County Council run parks will be closed to the public from 6pm this evening.

This decision has been taken for the overriding priority of protecting visitors and staff, and in line with Government advice around social distancing.

It includes Pembrey Country Park, Llyn Llech Owain, Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park and Parc Howard. It also applies to enclosed spaces across the Millennium Coastal Park, for example the playground in North Dock.

Although staff at Pembrey Country Park have already stopped taking bookings for new arrivals, the closure of the park means people making use of seasonal campsite pitches will also be asked to leave as soon as they are able.

All campsite seasonal ticket holders and general season ticket holders will be contacted directly over the coming days.

Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “This is an unprecedented move, but we have had to make this difficult decision to protect our staff and visitors.

“We do appreciate that people will need fresh air and exercise, but unfortunately we are no longer able to provide our outdoor facilities safely.

“In line with Government advice, we had already brought in new measures at our country parks, for example closing our visitor centres, restaurants, Ski Centre and shared public facilities.

“As we face these next few weeks, possibly months, together, we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of all.”

Today’s announcement follows an earlier joint statement by the Leaders of Carmarthenshire County Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council and the Chair of Hywel Dda University Health Board, urging visitors to stay away from Carmarthenshire and return home – a decision taken to reduce the burden on local frontline services.