A NEW playground has opened at Llyn Llech Owain Country Park in Gorslas.

The play area, which has incorporated the theme of the legend of Llyn Llech Owain, is situated near the park’s entrance.

It’s already proving popular with pupils from Ysgol Gorslas, who were invited to be the first to try out the playground when it was officially opened on Friday, May 4.

With more than 40 play features, attractions include a castle fortress, see saw, slides, swings and much more – all based around the theme of knights.

Carmarthenshire County Council has invested more than £70,000 on refurbishing the area, after the former playground was closed due to health and safety issues.

The new play area has been designed and fitted by Kompan.

Executive board member responsible for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths, said: “I am delighted to say that the new play area has re-opened ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend with a wide-range of new equipment, which I’m sure the young visitors to the park will enjoy. I would urge families to come down and create some magical memories in Llyn Llech Owain!”

Llyn Llech Owain Country Park is set in 158 acres of woods boasting nature trails and a lake in the centre. Specially constructed paths allow safe access over the bog and around the lake.

Legend has it that Owain Lawgoch was entrusted to look after a well on the mountain Mynydd Mawr. Each day, after extracting enough water for himself and his horse, Owain was careful to replace the stone but once forgot and water poured down the side of the mountain. The resulting lake was named Llyn Llech Owain – the lake of Owain’s slab.

Local members Cllrs Aled Vaughan Owen and Darren Price said: “The old park was well used and as local members we are very pleased that the county council has invested money into developing this great new park.”