A newly appointed park ranger for Leavesden Country Park will provide a watchful eye over the 68 acres of land.

Martin Brooks, of Rickmansworth, became Three Rivers District Council’s first ranger back in September and only six weeks in has cleaned up the park’s graffiti, improved the safety and has started a number of educational and community projects.

The position was established following requests from councillors and residents for action to improve the maintenance of the park.

Martin said: “When the position came up I thought this would be a great opportunity for me to combine my love for the outdoors with my specialist knowledge of landscaping.

“My remit and mission is to increase the use of the park by providing and maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment for all users.”

Martin spends most of his time outdoors and his daily tasks include inspecting the park’s grounds and equipment, maintaining the wildlife area, monitoring fly-tipping and meeting and greeting visitors.

He added: “As this is a new position and the park has not been attended to since about 1992 there are a number of environmental regeneration projects that need to be attended to.

“Organising, coordinating and insuring that these projects are completed are a large part of my day on site and an additional one day a week in the office.”

Every Friday Martin welcomes 16 students from St Michael’s Catholic School in Garston to help as junior park wardens on these projects.

Their latest activity has involved cutting back the vegetation on the road way to ensure that it is safe.

To help get youths off the street and to keep them safe a BMX track is in the process of being built.

Martin is keen to promote the park’s history and is working with the community to form a Friends of Leavesden Country Park group who can help with collecting, maintaining and disseminating the history behind the original Leavesden Asylum which was established on this site back in 1868.