PART of Cassiobury Park covering an area the size of 20 football pitches has been designated a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) by Watford Council in conjunction with English Nature.
This will help protect one of Watford's most important wildlife sites and secure its future as a habitat for a range of plant and animal life.
It is the third Local Nature Reserve for Watford and is one of only 21 in Hertfordshire.
The LNR includes the watercress beds currently managed by Watford Council in the south and the old Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust (HMWT) reserve in the north, between the River Gade and the Grand Union Canal.
The new reserve will be managed by HMWT and Watford Council in consultation with its partners, which include Friends of Cassiobury Park.
Councillor Derek Scudder, Cabinet member for the Environment, said: "One of the council's priorities is to improve the quality of life for local people. "Open spaces are great places for everyone to relax, exercise and keep healthy.
"They are also great havens for a wonderful range of plants and wildlife. We are lucky that an urban area like Watford has somewhere of such environmental importance as Cassiobury Park.
"By designating this area as a LNR we are protecting it for future generations in Watford."
Chief Executive HMWT, Ms Judy Adams, said: "The Trust is pleased to be working with Watford Council to develop a new Local Nature Reserve at Cassiobury Park. The new reserve will provide an even better place for wildlife."
June 27, 2002 16:30
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