On World Ranger Day (July 31), we asked you to share stories on social media that feature Virginia State Park rangers doing an exceptional job. Unsurprisingly, we heard heart-warming stories about various rangers from state parks across Virginia. We have compiled some of those stories to share with you and give them a well-deserved shout out. We’re very proud of our Virginia State Park rangers for the work they do!

Nice, approachable, and great storyteller at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic State Park

A simple shout out went to Ranger Lee Wilcox, who is the Assistant Park Manager of Staunton River Battlefield and Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historic State Parks. Visitor Matt Sullivan said that he deserves a shout out for being “Insanely nice.” As a coworker of Lee, I must agree and share the good impression he’s given me. 

As a new employee, I visited Sailor’s Creek Battlefield in the fall of 2021 to meet with Ranger Lee and become acquainted with the park. I was blown away by his kindness and approach to sharing Virginia’s Civil War history. Lee and the rest of the Sailor’s Creek team present history without bias and are welcoming to all. I personally was intimidated by the heavy history that this park holds, but Lee made it approachable. 

On the far left, Ranger Lee Wilcox smiles in his uniform. The images on the right of the collage are from Haley's tour of the Overton-Hillsman House on that fall day at Sailor's Creek Battlefield.

Ranger Lee helped me connect to the everyday people affected by the battles that happened here. As he gave me a tour of the historic Overton-Hillsman house, his story-telling took me back in time and made me feel like I was a Civil War bystander. We are grateful and proud to have Lee representing Virginia State Parks! Come by Sailor's Creek for a tour or park program to experience his kindness and knowledge for yourself.

Protecting wildlife and visitors at Hungry Mother State Park

Virginia State Park rangers are constantly looking out for not only our visitors but the park wildlife, this next shout out is an example of that. Visitor Meredith Martz shared her family’s experience at Hungry Mother with Chief Ranger of Operations Tori Luke and Ranger Adam Thompson. 

“Back in April, Rangers Tori and Adam helped my son (Austin) and I rescue/remove bats that were stuck in our cabin. The poor bats were tired, hungry and thirsty.” - Meredith Martz

Left: Ranger Tori Luke with visitor Austin Martz. Right: One of the bats that needed to be rescued from a Hungry Mother cabin.
Photos provided by Meredith Martz

Virginia State Park rangers are constantly looking out for and protecting wildlife in our parks. They are very knowledgeable about the flora and fauna that resides in each park. If you want to learn more, we encourage you to attend a park program about animals where rangers can share their expertise. 

Exceptional tour, history lessons and demonstrations at Wilderness Road State Park

Visitor Heather Ross, who completed Trail Quest with her family - visiting every Virginia State Park - in 2021, gave our next shout out. During a tour throughout the Virginia State Parks in Southwest Virginia, Heather and her family visited Wilderness Road and had a great experience interacting with our rangers.

Martin's Station, an outdoor living history museum at Wilderness Road, depicts life on Virginia's 1775 frontier, with interpretive volunteers

“I'd like to give a shout-out to both the official park staff and the volunteer staff at Wilderness Road State Park. We had such a wonderful visit last summer, in part because all of the staff made us feel like VIPs.” said Heather, “The blacksmith made hammers for my kids while another historic interpreter gave us a personal tour of the fort and a firearms demonstration. We all had such a wonderful time exploring the park and learning some Virginia history. A year later, we still remember how friendly and knowledgeable everyone there was.”

Experience an immersive living history demonstration at Wilderness Road by attending a park program. 

Inclusive and accommodating at Westmoreland State Park

Visitor Megan Fraedrich shares our next story. She is grateful that despite being injured, she was still able to go kayaking at Westmoreland, thanks to park rangers/staff! 

“Not sure if these employees were technically rangers, but the employees staffing the boathouse at Westmoreland State Park totally made my summer last year.” said Megan, “I broke my foot and tore a ligament in my ankle 2 weeks before my planned trip to Westmoreland State Park. I still went, but I wasn't able to do some of the things I had hoped to do. I wasn't allowed to put any weight on my foot and was stuck on crutches or in a wheelchair. But I was determined to try and kayak, and the boathouse employees were a tremendous help.”

Megan Fraedrich on the dock the day she got assistance from park rangers to go kayaking.
Photo provided by Megan Fraedrich

“They held onto my wheelchair and crutches for me inside the boathouse and they physically helped me hop down the stairs, across the beach, and into the kayak. They pulled my kayak back in when we were done. I covered my cast with a special plastic cast cover so it wouldn't get wet. It was such an awesome experience to kayak there and to be able to participate in activities even with my injury!”

The fantastic Fairy Stone State Park family

Frequent visitor Sue Leon said she has always had a good experience with park rangers - to her they even feel more like family. 

“You know, in the many years we have been to every Virginia State Park, we have always had a good experience. Every one we encountered, regardless of their position, always good.” Sue shared on Facebook, “Our first and all time favorite is Fairy Stone State Park, where we have spent years enjoying camping, cabin stays, hiking and exploring. It's awesome to have your name remembered with each visit.” 

The Leon family celebrated completing Trail Quest with their Fairy Stone family (staff) surrounding them in 2017.

“We completed Trail Quest some years ago and still are excited that we did! We celebrated at Fairy Stone with their staff and our family. The staff there are incredible. We are grateful to call them family. Thank each of you at Fairy Stone and ALL Virginia State Parks for the incredible work you do. You make our stays the best ever.” - Sue Leon

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Thank you to everyone who contributed stories. Without visitors, our park rangers wouldn’t have the opportunity to serve you! We welcome you to visit a Virginia State Park soon to experience how our park rangers go above and beyond every day.