Up to a few years ago, Wrexham wasn’t really on the tourist trail. For many it was simply a Welsh town to drive through on your way to Snowdonia. Three years later though, it has earned city status, is the star of a Disney+ documentary and boasts international fame.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that a lot of Wrexham’s change in fortunes had to do with Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, who bought Wrexham AFC (the third oldest football club in the world) in November 2020. Since then, the duo has shown amazing enthusiasm for the club and the local community – and have spent a lot of dosh.
Now, McElhenney has announced another project for the city. To celebrate his co-owner’s 47th birthday, McElhenney has proposed a new public park in Wrexham, provisionally named ‘Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park’ (though apparently the final name is – thankfully – going to be Welsh).
The ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ actor hopes to build the park on the site of an old Hippodrome cinema, which was bought by Wrexham Council in 2021. He announced the plan in a video with the help of Chris Pratt and said the park would have green open spaces, pop-up restaurants and movie screens.
On the park’s website, it says: ‘This community space located in the heart of Wrexham will be a place for the public to gather, grow, and play.
‘Working in close partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council, we’re beautifying the park in the coming months to be a reflection of the spirit of Wrexham and Wales.’
McElhenney added: ‘There will be actual green lanterns. Benches for old guys to swing on. A statue that clearly does not look like Ryan.’ Something tells us those features probs won’t make it to the final product.
The ‘Rob and Ryan effect’
Not familiar with Wrexham’s story? Here’s everything you need to know about how this unlikely Welsh town became the UK’s hottest tourist destination. If you fancy a visit, here’s a bunch of other great things to do in Wales while you’re there.
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