Rangers Wear Many Hats

In the late afternoon, early evening of Friday, September 4, 2015 a thunderstorm with high winds rolled through Sharon Woods Metro Park causing several trees to fall across the trails.  Typically, our outstanding maintenance staff would take care of such issues, but they had gone home for the evening.  Since maintenance staff were not scheduled until the afternoon the following day, a Ranger trained in the use of a chainsaw, took care of the issue in the morning.  This cleared the trail early in the day for our visitors, without having to call in maintenance on their time off, and without incurring any extra cost to the tax payer.  Just one of the many hats a Ranger may wear during the day.  It is one of the things that makes a Ranger a Ranger.  We don't just patrol the park and deal with law enforcement issues, we take CARE of the park.

Assisting Local Agency

On Friday August 21, 2015 Rangers at Sharon Woods Metro Park were contacted by officers from Westerville Police Department (WPD) regarding an incident in their jurisdiction adjacent to the park. WPD was informed a young woman, who was put on a medical hold for threatening suicide, ran from the doctors office.  Officers requested Rangers search the park for the individual.  Immediately, park maintenance staff notified Park Rangers and WPD they had seen the individual walk into the park.

A Ranger quickly located the individual on the multi-use trail and directed WPD to the location. WPD took the individual into custody and transported her off the trail.  Later, after a conversation with the individual's doctor, it was determined the individual was not on a medical hold, as initially reported, and she was immediately released.  WPD Officers offered her help to get medical assistance for her mental health issue, which she accepted.  Officers then transported her to a local area hospital for medical assistance.

An excellent example of how Rangers assist other local agencies.  Great work Rangers and WPD Officers.

A New Park To Patrol

On Friday August 14, 2015 Columbus and Franklin County opened its newest park, Rocky Fork Metro Park.  While only one section of this approximately 1000 acre park is open, it provides approximately 3 miles of trail 2 of which are available for you to walk your dog.  There is even a .3 mile trail designated as an off leash trail.  The paved multipurpose trail is bike, skateboard, leashed pet friendly, There are two shelters, one large and one small, as well as several grills and picnic tables scattered throughout the park.  Of course, a playground for the young ones.  The dog park, complete with large and small dog areas and splash pad will not be open until spring of 2016.  While it appears to be completed, fencing is not quite done and the grass needs more time to establish a strong root system in order to prevent problems in the future.

Here is an interview from the Columbus Dispatch with Park Manger D. Bissonette.   And another from 10TV with Metro Parks Director Tim Moloney.  Naturalist Andrea Krava does a nice job of giving a nice overview of the park with New Albany News

Never Off Duty

Two Metro Park Rangers on vacation out of state witnessed a one car vehicle accident as they were traveling on a county road.  They watched as a new Jeep Grand Cherokee, about 100 yards in front of them,  drive into the oncoming lane then turn sharply back into the proper lane, only to continue off the roadway and disappear into the woods.

Upon arriving on the scene they realized the car had disappeared because it had driven down a 10 foot embankment and was now at rest in a small creek.  One Ranger got on the phone to 911 while running to the next house to get an address.  The second Ranger went to check on the driver, an elderly woman who was conscious, coherent and uninjured. The Jeep was up to the bottom of the doors in water and was not going to be able to be driven out.  The Ranger kept the victim calm while waiting for the rescue crew.  Once the county Sheriff Deputy arrived on scene, the Ranger and the Deputy assisted the victim through her sunroof, down the windshield and hood, on to dry land.

The victim said that she was trying to shoo a bee out her window and went into the oncoming lane, then over corrected.  She managed to come out of the accident without a scratch.   Rangers stated they weren't sure how long she would have been there if they had not witnessed the accident.  Her vehicle was 10 feet lower than the road and obscured from view by dense vegetation, making it unlikely for her to have been seen by passing motorists. The victim was thankful the Rangers were behind her and stopped to help, giving them big hugs when she made it to dry land.

Turns out, the victim is good friends with family with whom the Rangers were visiting. It can be a small world when you are never "off duty".

Yet Another Water Rescue

It is beginning to sound like a broken record.  Rangers at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park assisted with another water rescue, this time on the Little Darby Creek.  This is the 7th water rescue on the Big Darby and Little Darby Creeks in 6 weeks.

It appears an experienced paddler got caught in flash flood after two days of rainstorm and capsized her kayak.  Fire rescue located the woman clinging to a tree in the creek, while holding her dog.  In order to be rescued, she had to let go of the dog.  But not to worry, Rangers were able to rescue the dog downstream and reunite the doge with the owner.  Click here for the 10tv video of the story.

This coming just days after an elderly couple was stranded on an island in the Big Darby with a capsized and sunk canoe.  Unable to get the submerged canoe, rescuers had to be called for assistance.

Distracted Driver??

This angers me.  Quite a lot.  How much of a hurry do you need to be in while you are driving in the park?  So much so that you don't see the Eastern Box Turtle crossing the road?  This critter didn't dart out in front of you.  It was the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day.  Were you driving too fast?   Were you talking on the phone?  Were you texting?  Or did you swerve to hit it on purpose... because I have seen that happen too.

Did you know the Eastern box turtle is a species of concern in Ohio?   Did you know that box turtles do not begin to reproduce until they are 7 to 10 years old?  Did you know that box turtles only lay 3 to 5 eggs a year once they begin to reproduce?  Did you know that they can live to be on average 30 years old?

Please pay attention while driving in your Metro Parks.  Obey all traffic control devices and speed limits.  It is for the safety of our visitors and our wildlife, like this little Eastern Box Turtle that didn't make it across the road.

Another River Rescue

The Big Darby Creek can be very dangerous.

Rangers at Battelle Darby Creek once again assisted the local fire department and other agencies in their efforts to rescue two canoeists who capsized in the Big Darby Creek last night.  One individual was able to immediately get to shore, while the other was found downstream a half hour later.

Please wear your life vest or personal flotation devices.
Do not mix alcohol and paddling.
Let family friends know your plan (put in and take out points) and how long you expect to be on the creek.

Please be mindful of the dangers of rivers during high water levels.