A new home of the Ranger

A new building has opened at Hartshill Hayes Country Park to benefit visitors and the park rangers.

The new refreshment kiosk, office and toilet block was officially opened by Warwickshire County Councillor Carol Fox - and of course, everyone's favourite mascot Ranger Ted was there to great everyone.

The new building, built by Arden Construction, is funded by income raised from the Country Parks service during last year, and from external sources.

The county council continues to invest in the success of Warwickshire's Country Parks, which are an important part of Warwickshire's leisure and tourism offer, and serve as green spaces which contribute to quality of life, health and well-being.

Cllr Carol Fox said: "The Hayes is a very special area of ancient woodland. It is doubly important because it is publicly accessible and on the doorstep of so many people. It was the addition of our excellent new play area in 2007 that saw a pleasing resurgence in visitor numbers with the car park crammed full at weekends. This also highlighted that the temporary toilets and the old centre, were housed in leaky 'cabin style' buildings, had reached the end of their useful life.

"The Country Parks service has plans over the coming months to provide a more attractive courtyard area to sit for drinks from the kiosk and for picnics and to add a green oak shelter. We will also be improving the car parking capacity and layout and there are works planned to maintain and improve further sections of the paths and trails."

Other things happening at Hartshill Hayes include a Summer events programme, volunteer work parties and a new Boudicca Trail which is being instigated by the Atherstone Civic Society and has received grant funding.

For more information on Warwickshire County Council Country Parks:

Visit our website at http://countryparks.warwickshire.gov.uk/

Visit Country Parks on Facebook Follow Ranger Ted on Twitter

News article courtesy of Warwickshire County Council.