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| Cha Cafe, Cassiobury Park |
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| Swings for Disabled Children |
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Cha Cafe Playground
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| Grand Union Canal |
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| Cassiobury Park |
Carving on the tree
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| Carving on the tree |
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| Cedar Trees in the park |
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Wooden markers, Nature Trail
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| Cassiobury Farm |
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| Cassiobury Farmhouse |
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River Gade (Cassiobury Park)
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The Cassiobury Park extends from Rickmansworth Road in the
east to the Grand Union Canal in the west
The park is bounded by Parkside Drive and Coningsdrive on the north and
Cassiobury park Avenue on the south. The western part of the park spreading
over 25.1 acres is local nature reserve managed by the Herts& Middlesex
Wild Life Trust. This park is set up in 1909 from the land purchased by the
Watford Borough Council from Essex family. The park is just two minutes’ walk
from Watford Station on the metropolitan line and 1.3 miles from Watford
Junction. As it is located in the heart of the town many people visit this park
with their children and pets to walk freely breathing fresh and pure air amidst
dense green surroundings.
The park authorities created many recreation and play
facilities to cater to the needs of children, youth, disabled persons, pets and
elderly people. There are eighty eight parking slots in the Gade Avenue near
the exit out of which six are reserved for disabled persons. As soon as one
enters the park one can see children’s park just beside “Cha Café”. Many
colorful slides, climbing frames, swings and other play things are seen with
seating arrangement for children and their parents. Animal figures carved out
of wood serve as seats for children. At the Cha Café many tables and chairs are
seen where many people relax sipping coffee and having refreshments along with their
children. Toilet facilities are provided here. The Cha café is open from 9.00
a.m to 4.00 p.m. There is another kiosk serving drinks and food near the
Miniature railway during weekends and school holidays.
On the left side near
the entrance one can notice both grass and hard tennis courts where young
people play games. There are three lawns allotted for croquet club near Cha
café. There is also a basket ball court between Cha café and the Bowls green
beside the hard Tennis court. Watford Bowls Club has a green and a club house.
Many old people are seen here playing bowls with mallets. For children aged up to 14 years there are
play areas beside the paddling pools near Rustic Bridge Crossing where the Gade
River passes before joining the Grand Union Canal. The Grand Union Canal links Birmingham to the River Thames.Fishing in the River Gade is
free but license should be obtained from Watford Council’s Leisure and
Community Services. The River Gade joins the River Colne at Rickmansworth. The River Colne joins the Thames at Staines. Many children enjoy
wading through water and viewing water fowls near the shallow waters of the River Gades. As a part of renovation
project, a new water play park with splash pads, jets and water fountains will
be opened near the two paddle pools soon.
The new Cassiobury hub will include
toilets, changing rooms, a two-storey community and exhibition room. During weekends children can enjoy miniature
train ride for ½ k.m. by paying 1.50 pounds each. During weekends and school
holidays children can climb over bouncy castle and feel floating mirth. They
have to pay two pounds each for enjoying this ride for ten minutes. There is a
separate cycle track for bike enthusiasts to go for cycling along the sylvan paths
flanked by shady trees and green plains. The historic 104-year old band stand
has been restored to its original place with a new appearance and outlook. On
holidays many music lovers gather here and listen to musical concerts.
The Cassiobury
farm and fishery is not far from the park. One can go there only on foot via Gade Avenue
(Cassiobury parking place), Langley Way or Rickmanworth Road. Once there used
to be water cress farm here since 1820s and lasted up to 1920s. Later it was
closed. After 5-year restoration work this water cress farm was brought back to
its pristine glory and a kitchen garden along with rare and exotic animal farm
was also added to attract more visitors. Traditional fruits and vegetables like
carrots, potatoes, peas, apples, strawberries and raspberries are cultivated
mainly for feeding animals and birds located here. There is a Victorian
Greenhouse here where fruits like bananas and lemons are grown. Composting and
vermiculture are done to use as fertilizers. In the kitchen garden many herbal
plants like thyme, rosemary, mint, basil, coriander, sweet marjoram,fennel etc
are grown. In 2015 breeding of honey bees was started to produce pure honey.
This farm is open only during summer on certain days from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00
a.m. For persons older than 14 years seven pounds are charged each and for
persons younger than 14 years only five pounds each are charged and children
have free entry to this farm. In the land just on the western side of the Gade River, local Nature Reserve is seen where one can walk watching birds and small animals like swans,ravens, wood peckers, black birds, gulls, wood pigeons,sparrows,pheasants, herons, king fishers, white fronted geese, bats, butterflies, dragonflies, newts, squirrels, foxes, snakes etc.
There are many old and gigantic trees in park such as beech, elms, oaks,
cypress, alder, hazel, cherry, maple and chestnut trees with broad green
foliage forming all along the park a green shady panorama. There are various
types of land like grassland, scrubland, marshland, wood land and water cress
farm. It would have been more helpful for visitors if labels are fixed on the
trunks of the trees showing their names and significance. Though there are
wooden boards giving information about the park, it would have been better if
pamphlets and brochures are given to visitors at nominal prices to give many
interesting facts about this scenic park. To view Nature’s beauty and appreciate her
diversity one should visit parks where all people irrespective of age can enjoy
and breathe pure and fresh air and feel refreshed and re-vitalized.
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6th July, 2017 Somaseshu Gutala
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