The first park ranger in the world was appointed in California in 1866. Galen Clark was chosen as "Guardian of Yosemite," at what was then Yosemite State Park, and the concept of rangers to protect and administer America's great nature parks was born. The tradition continued in 1872 with the establishment of the first national park at Yellowstone. From the earliest days, park rangers have been romanticized; they are explorers, outdoorsmen, tree lovers, animal protectors, police officers, nature guides, and park administrators. The park ranger has become an American icon, whose revered image has maintained itself to this very day.
The Department of Parks and Recreation requested that the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training conduct a survey and submit a report on findings and recommendations concerning the law enforcement responsibilities and needs of the State Park System. Five or six field trips were made to the six district headquarter offices and many park units of the park system. Visitations to 35 units were made before the report was finally completed. Interviews were had with district superintendents and park unit staff. Inspections were made of park facilities and equipment. The accumulated data and information were analyzed and assessed in relation to the crime problem, and to the law enforcement capability in the park system.
A compelling chronicle of 14 remarkable men and women rangers in California's Department of Parks and Recreation who deliberately focused their talents as "field" rangers within one state park - making that landscape a special place. They taught thousands of school children and led numerous interpretive programs. They flew airplanes, rafted whitewater rivers, and snowshoed the wilderness in order to make parks safe for visitors. They jumped out of helicopters to help sustain endangered species populations. They wrote books, stories, and poems to help the public understand parks. Some rangers served in groundbreaking roles - within a Department that encouraged them to achieve lofty goals, creating a blueprint for future successes. All 14 heroes accomplished positive change. As self-taught experts on their local region and its natural and cultural history, they achieved miracles while honoring the highest standards of public service - protecting our state parks and serving park visitors. Although it was serious work, they were able to share a little humor and fun along the way.
"Bodie, the very sound of that name conjures up images of "The Bad Man From Bodie", a rough and tumble life, and the harsh climate of a gold mine boomtown of the early West. But to a young park ranger and his wife, fresh out of college, and with a child on the way, it was an intimidating beginning to a 32-year career with California Department of Parks and Recreation. A PATHWAY THROUGH PARKS follows the career of Ranger Carl S. Chavez and his family as they travel the length and breadth of California from the ghost town of Bodie State Historic Park to the mountains and beaches of Southern California. Each new assignment brings new adventures and challenges as Ranger Chavez promotes up the career ladder to positions on the Central Coast of California, the Sierra Nevada and finally to the redwoods of Northern California at Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Career decisions must be made which result in advancement, "out of the field", and into the Management ranks of Regional and Division Headquarters. Yet even these changes do not alter the opportunity for stories and tales of humor and tragedy, joy and sorrow, adventure and routine, and the success and failure that many readers will recognize in their own lives. Anyone who has retired from the workforce, regardless of occupation, will have memories like those found in A PATHWAY THROUGH PARKS. The author's experiences will give all those who love the Great Outdoors and enjoy our parks and forests a rare, inside glimpse, not only of the inner workings of park operations, but also, of family life living in parks.
Smith chronicles his 14 years as a park ranger on a huge tract of government land in the Sierras, illuminating some startling truths about America's wild lands.
In 1866, the Yosemite Valley Commissioners appointed one of their members, Galen Clark, to be "Guardian" of the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove, making him the first California State Park Ranger. Serving two terms as Guardian for a total of twenty-two years, Clark was known and admired for his broad knowledge, energy, and ingenuity. From the earliest days, park rangers have been romanticized; they are explorers, outdoorsmen, tree lovers, animal protectors, police officers, nature guides, and park administrators. The park ranger has become an American icon, whose revered image has maintained itself to this very day.
