Annual clean up and litter removal at Stryt Las Park

It’s that time of year again when the large pond at Stryt Las Park is drained as part of an annual clear up.

Every year the rangers drain the pond in Johnstown to ensure that the lake bed is cleaned and that unsightly litter is removed.

Over the years traffic signs, bikes, thousands of cans and bottles and the ever present shopping trolleys have all been found discarded at the site.

The fish, which are netted by Natural Resources Wales, are also relocated to another pond or a lake that needs stocking. They are removed to prevent them from eating the rare and protected Great Crested Newts that live on the site.

Cllr David A Bithell, Lead Member for Environment and Transport, said: “Stryt Las is a designated Special Area of Conservation and a Site of Special Scientific Interest and we are very fortunate to have such an area on our doorstep.

“The rangers do a great job looking after the area and regular visitors to the park will be used to this annual clean up.”

Whilst the pond is cleared the ducks and swans that live on the lake at Stryt Las are free to fly to other ponds, as they often do, returning at a later date.

Once the fish have been caught and the rubbish cleared, the lake will be allowed to refill naturally, over the coming weeks.

The ranger has asked that visitors to the park do not feed the ducks. Feeding the ducks and swans encourages the birds to be less fearful of people, which makes them more vulnerable, especially to dogs, a particular problem while the lake is drained. Feeding the ducks also encourages rats.