As a New York State Park Ranger, every day is different. You can never be quite sure what you may encounter, or who you may cross paths with, but each day offers an opportunity to make an impact on the experience that visitors have when coming to enjoy New York State Parks. Below are some of the many stories from Park Rangers across the state about their experience working in parks this summer, in their own words!

Julianna Blizzard – Letchworth State Park

As a Park Ranger at Letchworth, you start each day not knowing exactly what is going to happen or who you are going to meet. You walk the trails, greeting each patron you come across with a smile. You’re ready to answer questions, give out directions and offer advice. You know you might have to administer First Aid, write an incident report or two, and sometimes you may need to help search for a lost person. But no matter what, by the end of the day, you have talked to countless people from all over the country and the world. In this job, you hear interesting stories, and you share jokes and genuine heart-felt laughter with strangers for hours. By the end of the day your feet are tired, but you have kept people safe, calm and happy out there in your neck of the woods. And that is what this job is about: the daily exchanges with patrons that make their experience in the park brighter.

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James Kraeger – Delta Lake State Park

As a first-year Park Ranger at Delta Lake State Park, I’ve found a lot of value in getting to know visiting patrons on a personal level. While continuing to uphold Ranger responsibilities by enforcing park rules and regulations, a significant portion of my day was spent communicating with those enjoying the services provided at Delta. In particular, I really enjoyed walking the camp loops and getting to know those staying in the park. An experience that I found especially memorable was getting the opportunity to show to young patrons what they called the “Ranger Mobile.” After meeting the young patrons and their parents while handing out Junior Ranger stickers, the kids were fascinated by the UTV I drove around the park. I made it a priority to stop and talk to them each day, and to the best of my ability, answer each of their questions on the function of each part/accessory on the UTV. On their last day in the park, I was grateful to have been given painted rocks and a note from the young patrons (and their parents) stating how they loved their time at the park. Their enjoyment and curiosity at Delta Lake was a truly rewarding experience for me.

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Dan Signor – Saratoga Spa State Park

Park Rangers’ duties include patrolling parks, answering questions, and educating the public on park rules and regulations daily. Serious incidents aren’t common, but in the case of three missing children reported at Saratoga Spa State Park, my coworker and I were the first on the scene earlier this year. We obtained descriptions and information, relayed it to Park Police, comforted family members, and began the search. Our efforts positively impacted the response time and outcome of the event, as all children involved were found and in good health. Watching all the family members embracing one another afterwards was very rewarding. It was then that I saw the effects my work has on the public and the benefits the Park Ranger program has on New York State Parks.

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Sonia Lazreg – Harriman State Park

A New Home for Abandoned Toys

Each day, the Rangers at Lake Welch staff the beach to prevent unsupervised swimming once lifeguards have gone home for the season.  We remove any garbage from the beach, cleaning it up for the next day’s patrons. Day after day, I found perfectly good kids toys and put them in the trash, knowing very well there were other kids who came with nothing but plastic cups and their imagination to play with.  After a while, I repurposed some crates that had been left for garbage and got all the Rangers and managers on board with a new “abandoned toys” program.  We put aside perfectly good toys and left them in our recycled bins.  Each day, we watched kids pick through the bins and delight in their finds – sometimes taking the toys home with them and sometimes leaving them for the next family. The program decreased plastic waste and delivered a lot of joy. 

The Courage to Camp

On late-night campground patrol, I expected to give a series of bear-safety talks and enforce quiet hours.  Bu an unexpected sound was coming from one tent – a child crying. I called in to the boy.  It was his first-ever camping trip – for his sixth birthday – and he woke up to find his family missing.  He was “so scared of the woods.”  I sat next to the tent and got him to tell me all the details of his trip so far – the marshmallow roasting, the days at the beach.  I distracted him long enough for his family to return from dropping trash at the dumpster.  The boy peeked his head out of the tent for the first time and was relieved and elated.  He told me now he just might be brave enough to camp again next year.

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Ken Warner – Fair Haven Beach State Park

Being a Park Ranger sure has its benefits. Every couple of days, someone tells me what a “great office” I work in! And it’s true, New York’s parks are in the most beautiful places in the state. But what’s really a great part of “rangering” is the opportunity to work with the kids. On any given day during the season, with hundreds of people on our shoreline, it’s easy for a youngster to lose their way after a trip to the bathhouse. They’re anxious for a moment, to be sure.  But a Junior Ranger sticker or two, a question about where they were on the beach, and a happy reunion with a “Thank you, Ranger!” from both parents and kids, puts a smile on everyone’s face … including my own.

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Samantha Evans – Niagara Gorge Parks

This summer, I came across a patron who was experiencing symptoms of heat exhaustion while hiking in the Niagara gorge. As I closely monitored their symptoms, I was able to help them hike out of the gorge without overheating. The patron was very kind and very thankful. Knowing that I had made a positive impact on their safety and wellbeing in the park was a great feeling.

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Angela Fowler – Allegany State Park

I was recently approached by a visitor seeking information about an animal they saw in Allegany State Park. The patron had never seen this animal before and wanted to know what species it was. I engaged them and asked questions about the animal’s appearance and behavior. After referencing my guidebook, we were able to work together and identify the animal as a Least Weasel. The patron very excited to learn about a new animal during their visit to Allegany State Park.

— Stories collected and introduced by Sarah Santiago, Park Ranger Director