Joplin park rangers hope to continue improving city parks

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) - If you've visited a public park in Joplin in the past year, you might have noticed someone new.

Ethan Yates is a city park ranger, a role that makes him a frequent presence at more than 20 parks in Joplin.

"I love taking my kids to the park. So I just saw an opportunity where I could make things a lot better so everyone could enjoy the parks as much as I do," says Yates.

He says for him, it's the perfect job.

"Just the fact that I could be outside, roaming around socializing with people," says Yates.

According to Paul Bloomberg, the Director of Parks and Recreation , the park ranger program was created after community members brought up concerns about safety. The presence of a park ranger is intended to help make people feel safer in the parks.

"They patrol all of our parks. Look and make sure there's nothing out of the ordinary that's going on," says Bloomberg. "They help with preventative measures. When it comes to maintenance, they might see something before our parks division does, so they report those."

According to city officials , the effects of the park ranger role can already be seen.

"We get compliments all the time. People are saying when they see them in the parks, they feel safer in our parks," says Bloomberg. "They noticed that, like when things are vandalized or broken, they notice that our parks division is able to get to them sooner because our park rangers actually point those out and report those kind of things so we can be faster in getting those things fixed."

Another role that park rangers help fill is that of a peace keeper. In many instances, park rangers act as an alternative for the police department.

"I think the police department is very thankful for this program. it allows them to focus on other areas, other than just having to patrol our parks," says Bloomberg. "They have such a responsibility in the city of Joplin, our community, the park rangers help them so they can do other things."

There are currently two park rangers working for the city of Joplin. The Parks and Recreation department has recently put out new signs at all parks that gives the phone number for park rangers. Community members are encouraged to call them if they have any concerns or issues at one of the city's parks. The park ranger number is 417-439-9460.

For rangers like Yates, it's a great feeling to help the parks improve for the people who use them.

"Things are definitely getting better," says Yates. "And once people realize how nice and neat they are, they're going to continue to want to keep them that way."

And while the role may be relatively new, it's one he hopes to keep for a very long time.

"I'm going to retire from this," says Yates.  "I figure if I do, maybe they'll give me an official park ranger bench in one of the parks, throw my name on it."

The Director of Parks and Recreation says he hopes to see the program continue to grow for years to come.

If you have a problem or concern about a city park, you can submit a comment on the City of Joplin's website .

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