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Pride In Medway 2009 - Capstone Farm rangers

A group of dedicated park rangers have been nominated for a Pride in Medway award.

The staff at Capstone Farm Country Park in Chatham have been put forward for a community involvement award by regular dog walker Sylvia Meade, from Rochester.

She said: "The rangers do an excellent job looking after the park. They really work their socks off.

"I regularly walk my dog there and I know they do a good job of keeping the nuisance bikers out.

"Over the past year they have also done really well keeping the paths super clean and clearing away the brambles so you can walk around the park easily.

"I know it is their job but they seem to have put in a lot of extra effort.

Mrs Meade added: "The park rangers are always very helpful and pleasant. They have made the park a very pleasant place to be and a place where you feel safe."

The team of rangers, which includes three full-time staff members and one part-time, are responsible for taking care of the 280-acre site in Capstone Road.

They patrol the park each day to pick up litter, assist the public, enforce park regulations to prevent anti-social behaviour, and monitor wildlife.

The rangers undertake a variety of maintenance tasks including footpath repairs, cutting back hedges, mowing, fencing and taking care of the fishing lake.

Throughout the year, the rangers carry out habitat improvements to help protect wildlife, including tree planting, pond creation, and coppicing.

The rangers organise regular events for children and adults, such as pond-dipping sessions, arts and crafts workshops, kite festivals and digital photography courses.

They also hold education sessions for local pupils three days a week.

Ranger Kristian Staples said: "We do such a mixture of different things - that's what makes the job so enjoyable.

"Our roles involve a lot of interaction with the public and we get to meet lots of different people.

"We look after a large area and all the team work really hard, so it's great to be nominated for an award for what we do."

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