Patrol Reflections: Life as an Urban Park Ranger

Looking back on two decades of service, I feel grateful and still marvel at the rich variety of life one experiences on patrol, each day being its own curious creation. As I’ve noted previously, helping wildlife to survive in an urban setting is often difficult but, nonetheless, gratifying beyond measure. One of my favorite occasions was the evening we discovered this beautiful owl and offered it some assistance. The learning curve being rather steep, some birds take a bit longer to fly than others. This juvenile was experiencing a few challenges but eventually found its way.

Lockdown turned out to be a truly beautiful time in San Diego parks, as nocturnal animals foraged during the day, and deserted spaces flourished with greenery and an abundance of flowers. Still, at times, the silence was a bit eerie in its persistence, and the solitude less than comforting as long days became even longer weeks.

As with most patrol-centered jobs, a routine day can quickly unravel into a life and death situation for members of the public, as well as staff. On this occasion, a homeless man attempted suicide in a roadside canyon and was rescued by a ranger, who, quite fortunately, happened to be patrolling the area at exactly the right time.

While on patrol, rangers interact with numerous members of the public, including those who are without homes and in need of extensive services, far more than we can provide. Untreated mental health issues present some of our greatest challenges, many situations becoming dangerous for all concerned.

There is a creepy and poetic ambience to storm drains, hidden bits of infrastructure that witness far more than they reveal — another setting for the joys of urban patrol life. I never cease to marvel at the subterranean realms of our landscape, the graffiti and tattered belongings, myriad pools of dank water, and the remnants of so many forgotten lives.

Apart from commuters and throngs of pleasure seekers, there is a secluded world — a culture, really — surviving in the treacherous yet often overlooked spaces of the city. The people of these hidden communities are some of the most extraordinary that one could imagine, and many of their stories remain with me to this day.

And, not far from inner-city storm drain habitat, one finds the more traditional beauty of historic architecture and manicured gardens, where cherry blossoms and evergreen pears share their fleeting glory with visitors.

From time to time, our migratory birds cooperate for photographs, as late afternoon offers its most ideal light, and the crowds of park visitors begin to depart, leaving us in peace. These geese are some of the many who inhabit Chollas Lake Park all throughout the year, dodging cars and unleashed dogs with admirable dexterity. I always enjoy seeing them.

Of all my patrol areas, sea lion habitat in La Jolla, California was undoubtedly my favorite, providing a backdrop for all sorts of adventures and odd occurrences. This pup, abandoned by its mother and a bit malnourished, was monitored by rangers and rescued by Sea World for rehabilitation.

Crowds cheered as animal rescue workers carried the pup to their waiting vehicle.

As you can well imagine, educating the public about wildlife is a key aspect of our work, since people regularly try to pet the sea lions and feed them sandwiches. Some of those stories will require a completely new set of essays. At any rate, I will conclude today’s tour with an image from one of my educational publications.

A continual interplay of beauty and ugliness defines urban park ranger life, providing numerous adventures — which I would not have missed for the world.