Mysterious wooden old man reading

Sometimes I get fascinated by little details. Like this one. I saw this gnome-like figure made of wood yesterday in the park where we had a picnic with our friends. He was rather stern looking and truly looked only like a gnome because of his height and his peculiar hat/hood. Otherwise he does not seem friendly like one would imagine a gnome would be. Is he meant to be guarding the park? He sure has something of a guard. But he is all into his book. He might be a wizard, good or bad I am not sure. The children around him did not seem scared, and it is true that although he does not strike as warm or friendly, he does not seem malevolent either. What do you think?