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The Keys to the Parks: A glimpse of Life in the Virginia State Park se
Keys to the Parks: What my keys say about my job!
Unlocking my office is an exercise in dexterity! The building I work in was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The echoes of the past and psychological weight of the rangers that came before is ever present in my daily life.
The Civilian Conservation Corp museum at Pocahontas speaks to the history of state and national park systems.
While everything is now modernized, it has all been retrofitted so the lock on my front door turns right to unlock instead of left, I have to lift up on the handle instead of down to open it, and the lock doesn't automatically unlock after using my key which means I have locked myself out (with my keys inside) on many occasions. Now couple all that with holding a cup of coffee, pulling my computer bag, balance my IPhone, and pulling out this jumble of keys!
The crazy chaos of my keys reflects the crazy chaos of my job! I love it!!
So why so many Virginia State Park keys?? I have keys to the various Visitor Centers and facilities in the parks since there at times when I arrive early, leave late, or host an event or meeting on the weekends. I have keys to the front gates since there are times, mostly due to crazy Hampton Roads traffic, that I return to work after the park is officially closed for the night. I have keys to different closets, storage rooms, and filing cabinets.
I just got keys to the new Trail Center at First Landing State Park. New museum exhibits feature information about the natural, cultural, and historic resources in the park.
I have keys the trail system gates. Occasionally, we do drive on the trails--usually in winter doing trail inspections or transporting materials for trail improvements. I've hiked most of the trails in my six parks, but still need to try out the mountain biking trails at York River State Park.
York River State Park opened new mountain biking trails this year!
The most important key I have is the gas pump key. Since I travel around the coastal Virginia region managing public relations and marketing for six parks--Belle Isle on the Northern Neck, Chippokes in Surry, York River in Williamsburg, Kiptopeke on the Eastern Shore, and First Landing and False Cape in Virginia Beach--I need to fill up my park vehicle often!
The gas pump embodies the spirit of the rangers of the past
But more importantly than filling up my gas tank, that gas pump is my anchor to the past. The pump is a 1950's model...no digital numbers here! While waiting for my tank to fill up, I often think about the cars that have pulled up to the pump in the past. 1940s Packards, old 50s Ford pick-ups, long and lean Chevy Caprices in the 70s and 80s, and now our park mini vans and SUVs.
The parks have been open nearly 80 years. This historic photo is from Seashore (now First Landing) State Park.
While we often talk about the history in our parks--fossilized shark teeth, Native Americans, Colonial Settlers, enslaved person, watermen--we sometimes forget to talk about the history of the people that worked here in the past and the legacy they have left us to protect and conserve these beautiful parks. We also need to be sure we keep these parks open and protected for the next generation of junior rangers.
Our Junior Ranger programs are preparing the next generation for work in the parks
Please do your part to help conserve and protect these parks by visiting often and supporting your local parks non-profit Friends group or the statewide Virginia Association for Park non-profit group that advocates for parks.
You hold the keys to the future of our parks.!
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.