PARK RANGER SPOTLIGHT

DID YOU KNOW THAT MURRIETA HAS PARK RANGERS?

Aside from wearing a cool “ranger hat,” Murrieta’s Park Rangers are highly educated and trained individuals ready to handle a variety of situations that come their way. The City’s rangers are also passionate about maintaining quality and safety within the 53 parks they patrol. In addition, they are selfless in their quest to preserve the hundreds of acres of natural open space that wildlife calls home. Together with the parks maintenance division, they ensure that the 25+ miles of trails are unobstructed and open for the public to use and perform minor maintenance.

In evenings and on busy weekends, holidays, or events when attendance spikes, you may find our Park Rangers directing traffic or engaging with the park patrons by answering any number of questions about the City’s facilities and reminding the public about park rules such as closing hours, unleashed dogs, and loud music. They will typically be the first person on the scene when dispatch receives a call regarding a lost child and will work with the City’s Police Department on search efforts as well as communicate with officers and the City’s Fire and Rescue Department when there is an emergency in or near the parks. Since transient individuals often seek shelter in less trafficked parks or open spaces, Park Rangers often report back to the City’s Homeless Outreach Task Force supervisor on any activity found. Park Rangers also need to spend time indoors. They must check email, return calls, write reports, update inventory, and attend meetings.

One of the most fun duties that our Park Rangers have is planning and participating in the City’s Ranger Rap program. Ranger Rap is an interpretive program that educates youth on the importance of our parks, trails, and wildlife; provides them with an understanding of how nature interconnects; and allows them to take an active role toward appreciating habitat conservation. Activities are geared toward informing the youth on the role of a Park Ranger, animals and plant life found locally, and why it is critical to care for our environment. In addition, the Park Rangers oversee the Junior Ranger Program. This free program is geared toward youth that expands on the Ranger Rap topics over a few weeks rather than a couple of hours.

The City’s Park Rangers are constantly training to learn and do more to protect the City’s parks, trails, and open space resources and park visitors like you. Next time you see a Park Ranger, say “Hi” and get to know them a little…they may even let you try on their cool hat!

MEET MURRIETA’S RANGERS

Ranger Melecia Price (pictured far left in the above photo) has been with the City since 2012. In addition, rangers Cesar Orozco and Jazmine Jennings have been with the City since May 2022. All are full-time City employees who enjoy the outdoors and adventure; they are happy to assist in any capacity. For additional questions about the City’s Park Rangers, the Ranger Rap, or the Junior Ranger programs, please contact the Community Services Department at (951) 304-PARK (7275).

Did You Know

THERE ARE 53 PUBLIC PARKS IN MURRIETA? CHECK THEM OUT AND LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL THE AMENITIES ON THE CITY’S WEBSITE.

HAVE YOU VISITED POND PARK?

39895 Murrieta Hot Springs Road

This 15-acre Pond Park is a little slice of quiet off one of Murrieta’s busiest streets and is situated in such a way that you will feel as if you have driven miles into nature.

As the name implies, there is a four-acre pond with good-sized catfish and blue gill, as well as plenty of frogs and turtles. Bring a picnic lunch, kite or binoculars and do some bird watching! Waterfowl and migratory birds abound at this site.

There is no designated parking for this site, but Firefighters Park, located a block to the west has parking and it is only a short walk to Pond Park. There is a port-a-potty at Pond Park and permanent restroom facilities are located at Firefighters Park. Remember to obtain a fishing license per State guidelines as State Fish and Wildlife wardens do stop by to check every so often.