A new green gym is launching in Cassiobury Park offering free green exercise sessions for volunteers to get involved with transforming the West Watford park.

For the next three years the Cassiobury Park Green Gym volunteers will work to develop the neglected spaces in the park by creating a community and wildlife friendly orchard, sowing wildflower meadows, and creating a wealth of wildlife habitats.

They will be supported by The Conservation Volunteers to form an independent sustainable community group by the end of the funding period to continue their work well into the future.

Whilst taking part in practical activity to improve the park, participants can burn a third more calories in an hour of Green Gym activity than in a step aerobics class.

Cassiobury Park Green Gym is being developed in partnership with intu Watford, intu Properties plc and Watford Borough Council.

Funding from Watford Borough Council is provided as part of the grant of £4,542,400 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund for Cassiobury Park.

Michele Taylor, The Conservation Volunteers Green Gym project officer, said: "The support and funding from the partners is invaluable in developing the Green Gym programme in Cassiobury Park and providing an excellent opportunity for the local community to make a real difference by being involved in improving neglected areas of the park, while improving their own health and wellbeing."

Alexander Nicoll, intu’s corporate responsibility director, added: "Intu is delighted to be working again with TCV and Watford Council on a second Green Gym serving the local community. Our new partnership at Cassiobury Park follows on from the successful Green Gym set up and still running in the Colne River Park in the heart of Watford. I am sure that together we can create another great Green Gym at Cassiobury which will offer big opportunities for the local community."

Volunteers will be joined by councillors, supporters and referral partners at the community orchard in Cassiobury Park on Thursday, December 10, from 11am until 1pm for practical wildlife gardening activities and an official launch of the new Green Gym.

To get involved with Cassiobury Park Green Gym, the group will henceforth be holding free nature conservation sessions in the Cassiobury Park every Wednesday from 10am to 1pm.

Sessions are open to all regardless of experience, ability or fitness, and run by an experienced leader, giving volunteers the chance to help transform the Cassiobury Park, learn new skills and improve their health and fitness.

Contact GG-watford@tcv.org.uk or visit http://www.tcv.org.uk/watford.