Cassiobury Park-Leaflet 25/6/08 20:50 Page 2 Welcome Park toCassiobury Points ofinterest Points of interest Points of interest Planning your day Tree sculpture. (The Owl Tree) Near the Cha Cha Cha Playground we have carried some interesting tree Tree sculpture. (The Owl Tree) Café Cha Cha Cha. carvings on an old Oak Tree estimated to be 400 years old. Its has been Rustic Bridge. Tea Pavilion Playground. in decline for several years, while on the inside is still remains valuable for vertebrates and fungi. On the outside the main carvings are owls, cat, bear, . Paddling Pools. and deer with several wildlife animals. Nature Reserve. Paddling Pools Kiosk. Rustic Bridge. Willow Banks. Paddling Pools Playground. The Rustic Bridge is approximately 75 years old and in March 2008 it was . decided to enhance and improve the character of the bridge. The bridge Model Railway. carvings carried is a design of several flora and fauna, this bridge has now Sports. Bouncy Castle. become a great educational point and makes visitors more aware of the wealth of wildlife we have surrounding us in Park. River Gade. A chalk stream that rises from springs near Great Gaddesden, the Gade not only provides an attractive country walk through the park, but forms the backbone to the nature reserve, home to a wide variety of wildlife. The River Gade in is classed as Grade A by the Environment Agency and 10 species of fish have been recorded here. Nature Reserve. Sixty-four acres of Cassiobury Park has been designated by Borough Council and Natural as a Local Nature Reserve. Welcome to Cassiobury Park Centred on the River Gade it is managed in partnership with the Cassiobury Park is Watford’s The Earls of Essex occupied Cassiobury Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust. A wide variety of wildlife may be premier park; it is located for more than 250 years. However, on found here, including uncommon and protected species. Rich in biodiversity, 300 species of moths alone are present. Also, of immediately to the west of the death of the 6th Earl in 1892 it note are the presence of 5 species of bat, great crested Watford town centre and covers became apparent that newts, bullfinches, reed buntings, snipe and water-rail. an area of approximately 77 had received little maintenance in the hectares (190 acres). previous fifty years. Upkeep of the Willow Banks. Cassiobury Park is a house and estate was expensive, and Increasingly the crumbling banks of the River Gade in the park are being significant and family paintings and other stabilised using the natural process of “willow spiling”, which not only extensive green valuables were sold to provide prevents erosion, but provides habitat for wildlife. space, comprising funds for maintenance. Whippendell Wood. historic and By 1900 the house was no An ancient semi-natural wood, extending to 66 hectares can be reached picturesque designed longer used as a permanent via Lime Walk an avenue of limes planted c1720.The wood is a Site Of parkland, woodland, residence, and in 1908 parts of the Special Scientific Interest. grassland and formal estate itself were sold off, some being Sports. sports pitches and courts. purchased to provide a public park. Cassiobury Park provides a range of sporting facilities, including croquet, The forms Despite public opinion actually being grass court tennis, bowls, basketball, cricket and football. the western boundary of the park. against the proposal,Watford Urban For details of how to join the clubs, please visit the following web sites or , To the west of the park lies West District Council purchased 65 acres in contact 01923 278333 for details. Town Hall,Watford, Herts Golf course and Facilities in the park 1909 to create “a people’s park and www.watford.gov.uk • www.watfordcroquet.org.uk • . WD17 3EX Whippendell Wood, which is a Site pleasure ground”. The Council www.watfordpiscators.co.uk Telephone:01923 278333 Toilets Cycle paths of Special Scientific Interest purchased more land over the years, to The park is used for a range of events all year round. The latest events programme is displayed www.watford.gov.uk (SSSI). make the park into the size it is today. Car Park Watford metropolitan station on our notice boards within the park and on the Councils web site: www.watford.gov.uk [email protected] Cassiobury Park-Leaflet 25/6/08 20:50 Page 1

Join Friends Group Join FriendsGroup Application Form Planning your day Green Flag The Friends of Cassiobury Park At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio Café Cha Cha Cha. came into being in 1973 to challenge dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium Cassiobury Park was first awarded the prestigious Green Flag Award in 2007. Hot and cold food and drinks all year round. proposals being made by the voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores Sit indoors or out and enjoy artwork from local The Green Flag Award is the national standard for parks and green spaces in England Borough Council for the et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati artists, or even have a go yourself at one of the many and Wales.The award scheme began in 1996 as a means of recognising and development of the Park.Then, as cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa workshops on offer. www.chachachacafe.co.uk rewarding the best green spaces in the country. It was also seen as a way of now, there was pressure on the qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum encouraging others to achieve high environmental standards, creating a council to permit more and more et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas. man made structures and facilities.The Friends still est et expedita distinctio. feel that some provision for amenities has to be Tea Pavilion Playground. accepted, but the main aim is to retain the Park as This playground provides for younger children and The following is an outline of the key criteria against which every is judged. an unique area of natural beauty and tranquillity. includes a range of equipment for children with • A Welcoming Place: • Conservation and Heritage: Your details disabilities, including a roundabout accessible to The overall impressions for any member of Particular attention should be paid to the Aims wheelchair users. Let your children play while enjoying a the community approaching and entering the conservation and appropriate management of Name: coffee in the gardens of Café Cha Cha Cha. park should be positive and inviting. natural features, wildlife and fauna, landscape •∑To preserve and enhance the natural appearance Paddling Pools. Address: features, buildings and structural features. of the park wherever possible and the wildlife One of Cassiobury’s most popular • Healthy, Safe, and Secure: habitats. attractions, the three large pools provide The park must be a healthy, safe and secure • Community Involvement: •∑To initiate the planting of new trees, where hours of fun for children in the hot summer place for all members of the community to The community should have the opportunity required, in consultation with the Council. Postcode: days. Open from May through to September. use. Equipment and facilities must be safe to to be involved in the management of the park use and dog fouling must be adequately and appropriate recreational facilities should •∑To preserve the wetland areas and the meadow, Email address: addressed. Toilets, drinking water, first aid and be provided for all sectors of the community. by initiating working parties to clear the stream Telephone Number: Paddling Pools Kiosk. emergency equipment should be available. • Marketing: and meadow area. Hot and cold, food, drinks, snacks and ice creams. • Clean and Well Maintained: A marketing strategy must be in place with a •∑To encourage the protection of animals, birds Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet Open from May through to September. and all wildlife in the park. Litter and other waste management issues good provision of information to Management: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, must be adequately addressed; grounds, A green flag park must have a management •∑To attract new members. buildings, equipment and other features must plan that clearly and adequately addresses all •∑To keep members informed of any proposals Paddling Pools Playground. be well maintained. the award criteria and any other relevant affecting the use of the park, and where At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio. This playground is being fully replaced over the 2008/09 winter period to provide • Sustainability: aspects of the park or green space’s appropriate, challenge the Council. • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur a showpiece playground for all ages. This will be the biggest and best playground Methods used in maintaining the park and its management. The plan must be actively •∑To promote the need for permanent wardens to for miles around and will provide another high quality attraction in the park. facilities should be environmentally sound and implemented and regularly reviewed. • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur ensure the safety of people and wildlife in the regularly reviewed. Pesticide use should be Cassiobury park. • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur . Model Railway. minimised and horticultural peat use eliminated. Waste material should be recycled •∑To have the wetlands area and the nature • Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur . Operated all year round, the model railway offers reserve designated as a Local Nature Reserve rides for children through the nature reserve on where possible, energy conserved and Park (LNR). this miniature railway. Charge applies. pollution minimised. www.greenflagaward.org.uk •∑To co-operate with the council by reporting any problems that may arise. •∑To provide volunteer working parties for the management of the nature reserve, and litter Signed: clearing, throughout the year. •∑The Friends of Cassiobury Park spread Date: Bouncy Castle. knowledge and appreciation of the Park and its Near the paddling pools this facility opens from April to September. historical background throughout Watford, for The operator can open at their discretion. Charge applies. Under the Data Protection Act 1998, this information will be securely held by Kent County Council solely to inform you of its work. whose benefit it was purchased by the council. This data will not be used for any other purpose, nor passed onto any third party. Ref: CP/Aug2008