Celebration time at Leavesden Country Park

Buckets & spades and tonnes of sand proved a huge hit as Leavesden Country Park celebrated the launch of the National Lottery Heritage project.

Over 1,000 people enjoyed the recent park Celebration Day which offered something for everyone, a place in which to ‘explore, discover and learn’.

The Celebration Day also launched the Heritage Trail. The nine sculptures in the trail, known as the Minds, Machines and Movies, have been created by highly skilled artists and pay tribute to the site’s history of the Leavesden Aerodrome and Rolls Royce factory, the Leavesden Film Studios and the Leavesden Asylum/Hospitals.

Visitors to the park were encouraged to walk the Heritage Trail and read the interpretation boards which give an insight into these institutions’ importance in the area. The three artists involved in the project joined the day and were rewarded by seeing the community interact with their pieces and reminisce about time gone by.

Visitors got to see the acclaimed chain saw artist, Will Lee as he created a new totem pole for the park. The new play area was in full swing as children climbed the hilltop play tower to spot the huge flying carpet swing.

Highlights of the day included the Rock Chorus filling the park with uplifting songs and the Leavesden Cycle Hub who aimed at achieving the same distance as the first stage of the Tour de France with the community joining forces to cycle the park.

Lincolnsfield Centre Soldiers attended in full 1940s dress and jeep and thrilled the crowd with their solider antics. The newest feature of the park is The Garden, nestled by the Woodland Café and Leavesden HIVE, which may sport the biggest bug hotel for miles. Visitors went to the HIVE and saw a display by the Leavesden Hospitals History Association and learnt about the history of the many hospitals.

The park is open daily, and all are welcome to see the improvements which have been made. These include the restoration work in the Edwardian Garden and the new Remembrance Garden. The Remembrance Garden is in memory of those who lived, volunteered and worked on this site, many of whom were from the local area and worked hard to make life better for others.

The work in Leavesden Country Park is a result of community engagement to improve the area. Thanks to the National Lottery Players without whom this project would not possible and to Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden for their support. Three Rivers District Council, along with its partners, is delighted to deliver the vision of shared heritage and appreciation of the park.

Councillor Sara Bedford, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “This has been a collaborative project, bringing together the three funding partners: Three Rivers District Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, to create a park which celebrates the heritage of the area. It was good to see residents come and enjoy the new facilities in the park. This project involved many local people, and I thank them for their input.”

Councillor Chris Lloyd, Lead Member for Leisure, added: “I am delighted to see the park bringing the community together. This is a fantastic celebration offering a range of activities and opportunities for all to get involved in and learn about their local area. It is also fantastic to have been nominated for the park of the year, and I would like to encourage everyone to get involved and vote for Leavesden Country Park via www.fieldsintrust.org/best-park/east/leavesden-country-park .”

For more information, please call 01923 776611, visit or email leisure@threerivers.gov.uk