A Tip of the Campaign Hat

A tip of the campaign hat to Rangers Daniels, Ramey and Young.  These three Rangers found out yesterday they all passed the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy final exam and are now certified peace officers. Congratulations on 6 months hard work.  We look forward to seeing you sworn in and receiving your commission.  Job well done!

A Morel Dilemma

Photo by Karl Hassel Jr.

It is that season again, one that many in Central Ohio and all over the Midwest for that matter, anxiously await.  It’s not fishing season, or deer, or even turkey.  It is morel season.  That’s right.  Mushroom season.  And to morel hunters, it is a special time of year, walking the woods searching for the elusive tasty morsel hidden on the forest floor, blending in so well with the leaf litter.  Good morel spots are highly coveted and protected secrets.    People might tell you where they catch their fish, or shoot their deer, but not where they picked their morels.  You may get someone’s pin for their ATM card before their prized morel spot. 

So what's the dilemma?  Finding a place to hunt morels of course!

While there are many places in Metro Parks that are suitable habitats for morel mushrooms, unfortunately it is against Metro ParksRules and Regulations to pick mushrooms.  Metro Parks Rules and Regulations 1.1 states, “Persons shall utilize any Park in such a way as not to injure, deface, destroy, or remove any tree, flower, shrub, or other vegetation, or fruit or seed thereof…”.  When Rangers enforce this rule, they often hear, “you are just keeping them for yourself.”  While many of our Rangers enjoy a morel as much as the next person, the rule is not in place for us to “keep them for ourselves.”  In fact, penalties for staff members violating this rule, can actually be terms for dismissal.  While many of us Metro Parks employees enjoy morels, none of us enjoy them so much as to jeopardize our job.  We at Metro Parks are charged with protecting the parks, and those habitats within them, and those creatures living in them.  This includes the morel, and all the wild critters that may eat them.  

However, Metro Parks likes to give options whenever we can.  In this case, the only option to hunt for morels is at the Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park Public Hunting Area.  You can obtain a map of the public hunting area at the Ranger Station in the Cedar Ridge Picnic Area or by contacting the ranger on duty.  

Thoughts and Prayers for Officer Steven S. Smith

Our condolences go out to the the friends and family of Officer Steven S. Smith, badge #1386, and the entire Columbus Division of Police, .  We Rangers are heartbroken.  Officer Smith put his life on the line on a daily basis during his 27 years service to this community.  Thank you for your dedication.  Thank you for your service. Rest In Peace Officer Smith... Rest In Peace.

Turn Down the Earbuds

In general, our parks are very safe.  With that said, please be sure to be aware of your surroundings.  This is especially true when using your earbuds while out jogging, biking, or walking on our trails.  I do  not have issue with people using earbuds, but those earbuds should not be pumping music so loud that you are unaware a 1/2 ton Ranger truck is 10 yards behind you on the multi-purpose trail.  And especially not after using the PA system to announce we are behind you.  Please be safe.  Please be aware of your surroundings.  Please, turn down the earbuds.

Just Pushing a Swing

When is pushing a swing more than just pushing a swing?  

A Ranger on patrol noticed a young boy, maybe around 5 or 6, on the playground at one of your Metro Parks.  He was playing by himself. As there were no other kids on the playground at the time.  One of his parents was there, but not engaged with him, but rather head down, eyes absorbed on the screen of the phone.

This particular Ranger decided to stop, walk out to the playground and give the boy a sticker.  We do it all the time, but this time would be different.  He was super excited about the stickers.  The boy was smart, The Ranger had stickers of 10 different animals.  The boy got  a sticker for every animal he knew.  He went 10 for 10 and got 10 stickers.  He was all smiles.  The Ranger turned to walk away and the boy stopped him in his tracks with a simple question, “Will you push me on the swing?”  The Ranger smiled, and told him he would be happy to push him in the swing.  After a few minutes of smiles and giggles, the Ranger had to resume patrol and told the little boy he had to go.  The boy hopped off the swing and stood close, looking down at his feet and said all quiet and shy-like, “Thank you.”  Before the Ranger could react, the boy reached out and pulled himself into a hug with the Ranger.  The Ranger hugged him back, tussled the boy’s hair, and said. “See you again.”  It was hard to leave.

It is easy to be distracted in this day and age.  The phone rings and beeps, letting you know you have a call, a text or an email.  You can look at Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.  You can check your schedule, or do some banking.  Heck, you can even video chat with friends and family on the other side of the country.  The whole goal of Metro Parks is to provide a place for you to come and explore the outdoors and have fun.  Don’t forget to look up from your phone and enjoy the wonders of the natural world.  Don’t forget to put the phone in your pocket and listen to the birds tweet.  Don’t forget to push the swing.

Emergency Medical Responder Training

March 16, 2016

 A Ranger practices using a bag mask device
connected to oxygen

Currently, all of our Rangers are certified in Basic First Aid, CPR and use of an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).  In order to provide better service to our visitors, Metro Parks began stepping up training in this area.  Last year the first group of Rangers completed a higher lever of First Aid training called Emergency Medical Responder training through the Ohio Fire Academy.  This training increases the Rangers ability to provide more advanced care as First Responders.  Providing more care in this, the first link of the emergency medical services chain, helps to increase the chance of a positive outcome for the victim.  Today, the second group of Rangers began the Emergency Medical Responder training.  Over the next three weeks Rangers will learn the principals of patient assessment, principals of airway management, obtaining vital signs, caring for head and neck injuries, caring for cardiac emergencies, dealing with multiple injury incidents and many other emergency medical skills.

A Day Gone Bad

We often hear, "You are a Ranger?  You have the best job ever."  My response is usually, yes... yes we do.  And I think to myself, but when it goes bad, it can go really bad.  Most people have this idea of what we do, and it generally does not involve anything bad happening.  People sometimes forget, anything that happens outside of the park, can happen inside the park.  Today was one of those days for Rangers out at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.  A good day goes bad.  Rangers were first on scene to a fatal car crash  near the entrance to Cedar Ridge Picnic area (Channel 6 News coverage).  Three teenagers, out of school for a snow day and on the way to go sledding, were in a vehicle that left the roadway, overturned, and struck a tree.  Rangers assisted with rescue and first aid until medics arrived.  One of the passengers was pronounced dead at the scene and the other two were transported to a local area hospital in stable condition.

Our hearts are heavy.  Our thoughts are with the teens' family and friends.

On The Run

Battelle Darby Creek - 1/27/2016

During the morning shift, the Ranger on duty was patrolling the wetland lot located on Darby Creek Drive.  He observed a Toyota parked in the grass, tucked in behind a bulletin board as if it were hiding.  Inside said Toyota was 4 male individuals getting some much needed beauty sleep.  The Ranger was in the process of running a check on the license plate when the driver decided he didn't want to stick around.  It may have been because he knew the Ranger was about to figure out said Toyota was stolen.  The driver fled out of the parking lot onto Darby Creek Drive, just as the Ranger's mobile data terminal alarms alerted the Ranger to the status of said Toyota.

The Ranger began to follow the vehicle but did not pursue because of the dangers to public safety on the roadway.  Franklin County Sheriff and Madison County Sheriff offices were notified.  Rangers and deputies checked the area but the vehicle was not located.  Battelle Darby Creek is a big place, often giving the impression it is remote and unpatrolled.  Ranger presence has a way of dispelling that illusion.