Albany’s new park ranger pickup at the scene of a car crash at Ellsworth and Ninth the evening of Aug. 21.
Albany will soon have its first “park ranger,” though this was not what the job was called when the city council voted to create the position in October last year.
Visible evidence that the new position is coming online is the new Chevrolet Colorado the city bought for the job. The vehicle has been driving around town. I first saw it Sunday night, when it helped block traffic at Ellsworth Street and Ninth Avenue, the scene of a two-car crash.
It was on Oct. 13, 2021, that the city council voted 5-1 to create the position of “parks services officer.” Councilwoman Bessie Johnson voted “no.”
Police Chief Marcia Harnden and Kim Lyddane, director of parks and recreation, had recommended the hiring of such an officer to help deal with trouble in city parks and along trails, such as graffiti and vandalism, illegal dumping and unauthorized camping.
They estimated the cost at $95,000 a year in pay and benefits, plus $24,000 for a truck.
It took a while for the police department to find someone to fill the job. But the last week of June, City Manager Peter Troedsson reported to the council that Marimar Moreno had been hired to fill the position and had started that week.
When I get the chance, I hope to talk to her about how she approaches what I expect will be a challenging assignment.
“She is in training with her training officer driving the new park ranger vehicle,” Sgt. Daniel Jones of the police department told me Tuesday. “She will perform many functions which look similar to our community service officers, but her main focus will be performing those functions within our city parks.”
As for meeting her: “She will be available to be interviewed when she has completed her training and (is) in solo status. Likely near the first of the year.”
It will be winter then, and presumably park issues will be different from Tuesday, when I came across a guy surrounded by his gear and stretched across the Dave Clark Path, asleep, in the middle of the afternoon. (hh)
I would love to see the new Park Ranger open bathrooms that we’re already paying for instead of forcing everyone to use disgusting porta-potties that are parked right outside the bathrooms. I would also like to see those bathrooms, that we’re paying for, left open all year so that they can be utilized as intended. People don’t stop going to parks when summer ends and they certainly don’t stop collecting our property taxes when summer ends.
Here here! The argument had long been that the City could not afford to maintain the brick and mortar restrooms or clean up if there dangerous paraphernalia left lying about. As a person living with a physical disability, trying to use honey buckets is difficult. And truly, who wants to use them unless it is the absolute last resort? Let’s make our parks truly welcoming to all. City of Independence seems to manage this, perhaps our P&RD should have a chat with them to see how it’s done.
I totally agree !! We do not need to re-invent the wheel !!
I could not have worded that any better. It’s all 100% true good job
My hopes is they will approach neighbors that are around these parks and get their input on what is happening
Maybe next we’ll get a Bridge Ranger for the graffiti on the bridge.
How much does this save vs hiring a “regular cop”?
Nice touch getting a truck that’s too big to fit in many places it’s needed!
Yes, it does cost more to operate the “brick and mortar” restrooms. It would be done by city employees and the cost of that adds up (think PERS, health insurance etc).
If they were to abolish the porta pots expect a “Pot” tax to be added to our water bills… or maybe the new Park Ranger could take on the restroom duty too. $95,000/year should cover it.
$120.000 to look at graffiti? Does she clean it up too? How much is a regular police officer that could arrest vandals? The white truck is nice but wrap is to light and hard to see at first. I too vote to maintain our bathrooms at public parks. People go year round. Lock them at 10 p.m. Tax payer money to build and still tax lots so use them.
This isn’t the first Park Ranger. Many years ago we had one at Bowman Park. He got beat up once or twice and we never replaced him. I don’t go down along river path by my house and neither does any of our neighbors unless they have a dog. I hope she learns how to work with people with mental problems that are sometimes violent.
Good point Dala, the new parker ranger should have a puppy she can walk with on her patrols.
I’m sure Marimar Moreno would like a companion. How can you not want to spend time with Chetco, Jager and Kovu? There’s room for a fourth picture. I’m thinking park puppy.
https://www.cityofalbany.net/police/about/operations
I think she can radio for assistance. It’s the PD.