Ranger will make park friendlier

3:32pm Tuesday 26th February 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Leavesden Country Park will become a friendlier place when a park ranger starts work in April or May, councillors have said.

Three Rivers District Council believe that having a full time worker on the site will deter vandals, while ensuring the park will be well kept.

Councillor Sue Bartrick, vice-chair of the council's leisure committee, proposed the appointment of the ranger.

She said: "This will be a focal point for the community and in the long term could save the council money.

"I hope that it will be a success and we can retain someone long term, having seen how effective they are for the first two years."

Leavesden Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, chair of the local area forum, agreed that having a ranger on site would make maintenance more efficient.

He said: "Currently patrols are sent from Rickmansworth, a 16 mile round trip, as and when necessary.

"There's always a time lag after incidents are reported."

He said he hoped the ranger will encourage community groups like the YMCA and local schools to engage with the park, adding: "We need a Friends of the Park group".

The council is funding the two-year ranger post as part of their bid for Green Flag status for the 17-hectare park.

Their programme of improvements includes investing £200,000 over the next year on new football pitches, planting exotic trees, new benches, installing signboards interpreting local history, and rebuilding the children's play area.

The national Green Flag Award scheme recognises and rewards excellence in parks and green spaces. The council will find out whether their bid is successful in a year's time.

Councillor Giles-Medhurst added: "We are pleased that, after full consultation last year on an improvement plan, the council supports our stance to ensure the country park becomes a jewel in Three Rivers' crown."