by Field Supervising Ranger Seth Eddings

A big part of a Park Ranger’s job is answering questions from the public when they visit our parks. More often than not, it is the same handful of questions we get once or twice a week if not daily. Park Rangers don't mind answering these queries; in fact, we enjoy engaging with park visitors!  The purpose of this article is to share our experiences with the reader. If you have ever asked one or all of these, the Rangers appreciate you taking the time to talk to us. Here are the top 20 questions that I get asked as an LARPD Open Space Park Ranger. 
 
Q: Where are the bathrooms? 
A: There are two bathrooms located at both entrances of Sycamore Grove Park: the Wetmore Road entrance and the Arroyo Road entrance.  

Q: When you catch a rattlesnake, do you kill it?  
A: No, we do not kill rattlesnakes. They are a native species and a very important part of our ecosystem. We do relocate them if they are too close to people or lying on or near a trail.  

Q: Does this park have mountain lions? AND have you ever seen a mountain lion? 
A: Yes, there are mountain lions in this area. I have only seen two, and it was at night after the park was closed. Before I could process what exactly I was looking at, the cat was gone.  

Q: Don't you just love your job?  
A: Yes, very much so.  

Q: How do I avoid getting ticks? 
A: Wear bug spray and stay on trail. 

Q: Don't you hate cleaning Public Restrooms?   
A: Honestly, not really. I will admit, it's not the most glamourous part of my job, but I actually take pride in keeping the restrooms clean and stocked. 

Q: What's the scariest thing you’ve ever seen as a Park Ranger?  
A: A completely empty park of visitors, during a weekend day during peak hours, with perfect weather.......spooky. 

Q: What is your sweetest thing you’ve seen as a Park Ranger? 
A: A young child learned how to ride her bike without training wheels for the first time, and it happened to be in Sycamore Grove Park.   

Q: What is the rarest animal you've ever seen?  
A: I once saw a mama river otter with three of her pups hunting in the creek. Otters aren't necessarily rare, but they are very elusive.  

Q: What's your favorite animal?  
A: Easily the killdeer bird. They trick predators into thinking they are injured to lure them away from their nests that are on the ground. Once they are far enough away from their nest, they fly away leaving the predators confused.  

Q: What is your favorite part of your job? 
A: That every day is different, I've never had the same workday twice. 

Q: What is the worst part about your job? 
A: I personally, get very bad allergies from St. Patrick's Day up until Memorial Day, but other than that, I really love my job.  

Q: What made you want to become a Ranger? 
A: Growing up, I always thought I had just 6 options for a career:  Police Officer, Fire Fighter, EMT, Teacher, construction worker, or some job working with animals. My sister once suggested, “Why don't you become a Park Ranger? Then you can do a little bit of all those things.” Good Point Big Sis! 

Q: Do you know Smokey Bear?  
A: Well, I've met him a few times in passing but we’re not on a first name basis, yet. 

Q: What is your favorite Program with LARPD? 
A: It has to be Interpreter Eric’s “Great Yule Log Hunt” program. It’s such a fun program based on so much history and tradition. I learn something new every year!  

Q: Do you believe in bigfoot?  
A: I personally believe that an ape-like bigfoot creature did once exist on Earth but went extinct many centuries ago.......or did it? 

Q: Are you Ranger Danny? 
A: No, I am Ranger Seth. I understand the confusion—Ranger Danny and I look similar. In fact, we have a gentleman's agreement that if someone waves and says, “Hi Ranger Danny” to me or “Hi Ranger Seth” to him, we just wave back and say “Hello.” 
QPT2: “Oh, well where is Ranger Danny?” 
APT2: Some say he is currently trekking in parts unknown, searching for Joaquin Murrieta’s lost treasure. Or he is leading a Jr. Ranger hike. 

Q: Can I get a ride in your truck back to my car?  
A: Unless this is an emergency, no you may not.  
 
Q: What is the biggest pet peeve you have as a Park Ranger?  
A: Smoking and littering in the parks. Most of the time, smoking and littering go hand in hand. 

Q: Even if I didn't park in the parking lot, do I still have to leave the park when it is closed?  
A: Yes, everyone needs to be out of the park by the posted closing time, regardless of where you parked.  

Q: Do you get asked a lot of questions?  
A: Yes, in fact, I’m writing an article about FAQ for Rangers, I hope you enjoy it. 

 

Learn more about Park Ranger Life

Meet Ranger Seth in person on Saturday, June 6th  2-3pm for his The LIfe of a Park Ranger Program at the Wetmore Amphitheater.