MONMOUTH COUNTY – In what was a perfect ending to Park and Recreation Month, local officials celebrated World Ranger Day recently.
It was a day for Monmouth County park rangers to be honored for their dedication and the important work they do.
“The Monmouth County Park System has 95 full-time Park Rangers,” said Freeholder and Park System Liaison Lillian G. Burry. “They are our goodwill ambassadors who have attended the Police Academy and are fully vested with police authority to assure safety in the parks and protect all park visitors.”
It was noted by County officials that as the backbone of the Monmouth County Park System, park rangers are on the front line of caring for the county’s vast natural and historical treasures and protecting its visitors.
New rangers undergo eight weeks of training including first aid, law enforcement procedures, missing person searches, fire prevention and safety, and grounds and facility maintenance, officials said. Once trained, rangers provide assistance and emergency response to the Park System’s seven million annual visitors from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.
Throughout the Park System, county park rangers are responsible for over 50 public buildings; 141 miles of trails; an array of recreational facilities including beaches, pools and campgrounds; and numerous gardens, lawns, and specimen trees. The 17,547 acres and 43 park areas include historic sites, woodlands and wetlands, open spaces, and more.
Rangers also provide set-up and support to the Park System’s 5,000 annual programs and special events in addition to facilitating group picnics, charity events, weddings and more.
County park rangers have faced new challenges in 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents turn to their county parks to hike, bike, fish, camp, golf, or just spend time in nature. Park System sites experienced a sharp increase in visitation (some up to 50%).
Karen Livingstone, the public information officer of the Monmouth County Parks system said “the Monmouth County Park Rangers were recognized for their hard work throughout the year, especially during this time of COVID-19. The County Freeholders and Board of Recreation Commissioners wanted to recognize their work and the importance of their contribution to our visitors.”
She added that “the Monmouth County Park System fared very well” during Tropical Storm Isaias which struck the state with force on Aug. 4 and caused power outages in various areas of the state including Ocean and Monmouth counties.
While several Ocean County parks had to close on Aug. 5 to be cleared of debris from broken branches and other damage caused by the storm, “no parks closed although a few buildings were closed due to power outages,” Livingstone said.
The County Park system was created in 1960 by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders. It serves as the County’s Open Space, Parks, and Recreation agency. For more information about the Monmouth County Park System, visit MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.
