Celebrities are not, in fact, just like us. If you doubt that ask yourself the following: when’s the last time you celebrated your friend’s birthday by getting them a public park? How about a special cameo from Chris Pratt? The answer to both those questions is almost certainly a resounding “never.” But that’s exactly what Rob McElhenney, famous actor and co-owner of the English football club Wrexham A.F.C., got for his celebrity friend’s birthday this year. The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star also got Parks & Rec‘s Andy Dwyer to help him announce the Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park in honor of the Deadpool star’s 47th birthday.
This announcement is no joke (even if the continuing birthday prank war between these famous friends is). The Ryan Rodney Reynolds Memorial Park is a very real place planned for the town of Wrexham in Wales. That’s the home of the football club Reynolds co-owns with Rob McElhenney, the one that has its own FX docu-series, Welcome to Wrexham.
The unofficial page for the public space, called “Parks & Wrex” says the location is under development in conjunction with the Wrexham County Borough Council. Once completed, it will offer an open green space for the community to enjoy. It will also host a number of events, such as restaurant pop-ups, movie screenings, farmer’s markets, and more.
Despite this announcement coming on Reynolds’ 47th birthday, the park won’t ultimately bear his name. The park’s website says the final moniker will “probably” be “something Welsh, not Canadian.” FAIR.
It’s not yet known when the town will break ground on the park, located at the old Hippodrome location on Henblas Street, let alone when it will open. But you can already order merchandise for it. Proceeds will go towards the park’s development.
In the meantime, you can also enjoy this delightful video of McElhenney and Chris Pratt. It proves celebrities are at least a little bit like us. They all want to meet Danny DeVito, too.
