Here's To The Park Super And Park Ranger!

[brittsnbirds]

Why is it when some young college kids come down to BSP and other State Parks for Spring break they have to act like they are at Padre Island? It just so happened this past week I had the unfortunate opportunity of getting to see the Park Super and the Park Ranger do their thing. Some young guys from out of state decided they would stay up all night long and blare their music and scream and holler. They were asked to hold it down but only turned the music off. They eventually called it a night and either went to bed or passed out.

The next day the Park Super and Park Ranger stopped by. They advised that there were complaints all day about the previous night. They were looking for young men's vehicle to evict them. The young men showed up and left without incident.

One question came to mind and I asked the Ranger and Super. Who do we call if there is a problem? The park host, who was just across the road and up a bit, did not hear the racket. Even though his neighbors further up complained. I found out during the week the Ranger works the PM shift (1400-2200 hrs.). The Super told me to call him if there were any issues about the park but to call 911 for a Deputy if it was a Police problem.

All in all they did a good job but not having any preventative patrol late at night during the week makes me feel a little uneasy. The last thing I want to do is go to work where I'm vacationing!!

Pat

[jdmidwest]

Thats odd, I have always noticed a Ranger drive thru after quiet hours on the weekends in most parks, even a deputy sheriff or two. I had a deputy escort me to the office to pay my tab on one occaision at BSSP. We had left to go to Springfield that afternoon and returned after the time the office had closed. There wasn't anyone in the shack. We originally intended to leave that day but stayed longer in town, so we extended our stay another night. We went back up to the site and was fixing supper when Barney came by. You would have thought I had just robbed the store or something. A little too Gung Ho for $8 and the shack was still closed, but the lodge was open. It was on the second time we had camped there, other places will let you pay the next day, the Ranger stops and collects on his morning rounds.

Now days, I only get off on the weekends, I arrive at camp late on Friday night, sometimes after 10, make camp, then usually stay up later catching up with friends after. Saturdays we go to bed a little earlier. I usually tolerate a little more noise on Fridays, I was young once too. Usually there are a few drive thrus looking for troubles, at least there was last year. Maybe with gas so high there has been cutbacks.

[fishinwrench]

Just how busy IS the "Ranger" that he can't make a round thru the campgrounds every few hours to make sure everything is kept mellow ? I mean what is he doing to earn his pay when he isn't doing just that ?

IMO I don't think a group of kids being noisier than you would prefer in a campground justifies a 911 call.....

[brittsnbirds]

A Ranger works from 1400 till 2200 during the week. I don't know if another one comes on at 2200 and works till 0700 on the weekend. I know when the summer get's going they will have overlapping shifts with 2 on. They do the same thing a City, County or State officer does, they run radar and are available when needed. But after hours how do you call them?

Yep, Rex the park super and Jim run a pretty tight ship as far as payment. They reminded me one an occasion or two. One thing that will get you on their bad side is parking off the pavement. I got my shorts cleaned by a campground host a few years ago when I was unloading wood. I backed my truck off of the asphalt (back 2 wheels), we were working up a sweat getting it off the truck when the Host arrived and was very brash. Something like, "you can't park your truck there". No howdy, how ya'll do'in or anything. It was just straight to the jugular. I tried to explain that I was there for just a moment and you would have thought I slapped his momma. He stomped off to his truck to call the ranger. When Jim arrived he saw it was me (we have known each other for a few years, occupational thing), I already moved my truck, he took me to the side and told me the host gets a little wound up. I told him I would tell the host I sorry and it wouldn't happen again. He told me not to waste my time. I haven't seen that host since then. When I was at Montauk last year it looked like a used car lot at some places. People were on the grass, double parked on the road etc. It just depends on who the Park Super is.

FYI I know that 2 of the BSSP Rangers have been retired Missouri State Troopers. They pick up the Ranger job to supplement their retirement. One of the Park Host's this time was also a retired St. Louis Copper. Kind of funny at one time during the "eviction process" there were 4 cops and the Super. Rex even made a comment that he sure felt safe with all the help. I had to remind him that me and the boss were on holiday, not on the job!!

Pat

[Ham]

I'm ok with folks getting there late. I'm ok with folks staying up and talking around their campfire. I start to get annoyed after midnight when some James Taylor wannabe is singing and beating on an acoustic tyring to get with whatever hippy chick is handy. I don't want the cops involved, but I would love the park ranger to shut em down or run em off.

[jdmidwest]

Campground Hosts are all different, most are as friendly as can be. I never really met any that I can remember at BSSP. One that does come to mind is an old fart from Sam A Baker. I arrived with my daughter on a Sat., Father's Day weekend for our annual outing to find the park filled. I went to the office and she said no vacancies and the office was closing. We made another round and found a couple breaking camp. The spot next to them was loud all night and they were leaving. The spot was paid up thru Sunday. The grumpy old man host came thru and we told him what was going on. While I was setting up camp, he came back and pulled the tag and informed me that I would have to go pay for the site. I asked him how I was supposed to do that as the office was closed, and questioned why the site had to be paid for twice. Come to find out the office was just closed for lunch and he thought I was trying to scam him. He was circling the site til I loaded up and drove back to the office. I had detoured to meet with some other friends and took a while to get there. When I arrived, he was waiting, and he questioned me as to what took so long. I complained to the park about him and have not seen him since.

The rowdy bunch in the other site was no problem that night. They were up all Friday night, on a float trip all day Sat. They came back to camp and passed out early.

[WebFreeman]

I start to get annoyed after midnight when some James Taylor wannabe is singing and beating on an acoustic tyring to get with whatever hippy chick is handy.

That's funny stuff.

[brittsnbirds]

I'm with you Ham. How bout the home boys with their sub-woofers kickin'? Now that annoys the heck out of me. I wonder if the park or state has a noise ordinance like some cities do? If you can hear it 30 feet from the source your in violation.

FYI the Park Rangers are certified LE officials. They have the power of arrest State wide, but I don't know if it is limited to just State Parks.

Now that James Taylor thing is funny!!

[Paola Cat]

James Taylor wanna be's .... home boys kickin' it in the park .... good ole boys blaring Lynard Skynard at all hours of the night/morning (you name the park ... its happened to me) .... I have yet to hear the classical music blasting ..... is that next?