Menifee Park Rangers go above and beyond for residents
By Tommie Brown, Staff Writer If you’ve lived in Menifee for longer than one day, you’re surely aware of the vast number of parks sprinkle...
http://www.menifee247.com/2019/08/menifee-park-rangers-go-above-and-beyond-for-residents.html
By Tommie Brown, Staff Writer
If you’ve lived in Menifee for longer than one day, you’re surely aware of the vast number of parks sprinkled around all corners of the community. From La Ladera to Heritage Lakes, to the beautiful open trails this rural area has to offer, Menifee citizens are given their fair share of options when it comes to engaging with the outdoors.
But just like all communal spaces open to the public, the areas and the people who reside within them must remain protected. That is typically where Park Rangers step in. Menifee’s Park Ranger duo has been quietly going above and beyond for the community over the last three years.
Ranger Amanda Ingraham and Ranger Brandon Samson monitor all Menifee parks, seven days a week, taking off only on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Pictured: Ranger Brandon Samson and Ranger Amanda Ingraham
Whether it be keeping parks clean or ensuring all behavior at locations is appropriate, the two often work on opposite shifts covering Menifee’s open space locations, ensuring safety and positive experiences for visitors.
It may come as a surprise to many that visiting parks is just one of many vital components of the Rangers’ daily agendas.
The Park Rangers currently serve as the leaders of the Menifee Homeless Task Force. Working collaboratively with the Sheriff's Department and Social Work Action Group (SWAG), the Rangers have drastically reduced the number of homeless individuals in the community.
“Something people should know is that when we say 'reduce' the numbers of homeless, that doesn’t mean we are shooing them out into neighboring communities to make that issue someone else’s problem,” says Community Services Supervisor Jason Hendrix. “These guys are hands-on finding solutions and help for the members in our community who are struggling.”
Just within the last year, the Rangers and teams working with them have reached out to nearly 200 homeless individuals, with a 75 percent success rate of some form of help being accepted. Also within the last year, 54 homeless people received assistance in some form of housing.
“People have this idea of what homelessness looks like in Menifee,” said Samson. “That it’s just people panhandling in the streets. And while we do care for those situations as well, so much homelessness comes from people who look like me and you, driving nice cars. Except they sleep in those nice cars, parking in the parks at night. And we just really want to reach everyone and anyone who needs help.”
Whether on site during evictions taking place, giving out gas cards, working with food donations from the local food bank, connecting people to substance abuse treatment or veterans to military aid services, or helping people obtain vital documents (Social Security cards, birth certificates, ID’s), the Park Rangers cover nearly all bases when it comes to Menifee citizens in need.
The job titles were originally created to monitor the skate park built in Audie Murphy Ranch. And while that is on the top of the list in priorities -- especially for Ingraham, whose jurisdiction includes the park -- their duties have blossomed into the models of what a Ranger should be.
In addition to the homeless outreach, the Rangers also heavily focus on community outreach. An example of their most recent involvement is the Campfire Program held in Spirit Park throughout the summer months.
Families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs out to the park to enjoy an old fashioned campfire with community members. The Rangers also offer programs during the campfire that aim to teach visitors about all the nature Menifee uniquely offers. That includes a short nature walk where guests participate in a few minutes of silence, to embrace what nature has to offer.
“We had one family at a campfire event who had never seen a campfire or made s’mores,” explained Samson. “It’s hard to believe that a family living in Menifee hasn’t had that opportunity, but that’s the truth for so many people. And that’s what we are here for, to reach the people who have even the smallest needs that we can meet. Like a campfire.”
The Rangers also extend their reach to schools, Scouts programs, and events within the parks such as the most recent skate park event, where Menifee pro scooter rider Chandler Dunn spent the day riding with Menifee youth.
Another lofty task Ingraham holds is the responsibility of field allocations. She ensures the approvals and scheduling of all Menifee teams that utilize the parks for practices and games. There are currently eight different leagues that request field usage, and some of those leagues include over 800 players. With the City of Menifee operating with only one lighted field at night and having to ensure that only Menifee teams who are authorized to use fields do so, Ingraham has had her work cut out for her.
“Even though this has been quite the task,” says Hendrix, “Ranger Ingraham has come up with the most fair and comprehensive allocation system we have seen. And so far under her system, there has been nearly no fighting among the leagues because it’s just undeniably fair to everyone.”
Aside from their loaded job description, the pair are also heavily qualified in the fields of care. The two represent the Public Safety Committee, attend trainings with Cal Fire, and work hand in hand with both neighboring police departments and soon with Menifee’s very own police force.
“They truly are the glue for the community,” says Hendrix. “They stand for compassion and education, and they truly make themselves available to do anything the community needs. They're that go-between for needs that you maybe wouldn’t say, call the police over, but still need that help.”
And these Rangers want the community to know they are eager to hear from you. With a hotline number available to any and all residents, the Rangers actively respond to any calls they receive or word given that someone is in need. Even if it’s just to know the best spot to hike.
“Menifee has so many little secret spots to offer that you don’t even know about. Such ecologically diverse areas that people don’t even know are open to the public,” says Ingraham. “And we’re happy to share that information with people. We’re happy to share any information with people. Even if you have questions about plants or animals out there, we like answering those questions, too. We just want people to know that Menifee has much more to offer than just driving down Newport.”
If you would like to reach out to the Park Rangers, call the Park Ranger Hotline at 951-723-3888.
If you’ve lived in Menifee for longer than one day, you’re surely aware of the vast number of parks sprinkled around all corners of the community. From La Ladera to Heritage Lakes, to the beautiful open trails this rural area has to offer, Menifee citizens are given their fair share of options when it comes to engaging with the outdoors.
But just like all communal spaces open to the public, the areas and the people who reside within them must remain protected. That is typically where Park Rangers step in. Menifee’s Park Ranger duo has been quietly going above and beyond for the community over the last three years.
Ranger Amanda Ingraham and Ranger Brandon Samson monitor all Menifee parks, seven days a week, taking off only on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Whether it be keeping parks clean or ensuring all behavior at locations is appropriate, the two often work on opposite shifts covering Menifee’s open space locations, ensuring safety and positive experiences for visitors.
It may come as a surprise to many that visiting parks is just one of many vital components of the Rangers’ daily agendas.
The Park Rangers currently serve as the leaders of the Menifee Homeless Task Force. Working collaboratively with the Sheriff's Department and Social Work Action Group (SWAG), the Rangers have drastically reduced the number of homeless individuals in the community.
“Something people should know is that when we say 'reduce' the numbers of homeless, that doesn’t mean we are shooing them out into neighboring communities to make that issue someone else’s problem,” says Community Services Supervisor Jason Hendrix. “These guys are hands-on finding solutions and help for the members in our community who are struggling.”
Just within the last year, the Rangers and teams working with them have reached out to nearly 200 homeless individuals, with a 75 percent success rate of some form of help being accepted. Also within the last year, 54 homeless people received assistance in some form of housing.
Pictured: Both Park Rangers with community members at National Night Out event
Whether on site during evictions taking place, giving out gas cards, working with food donations from the local food bank, connecting people to substance abuse treatment or veterans to military aid services, or helping people obtain vital documents (Social Security cards, birth certificates, ID’s), the Park Rangers cover nearly all bases when it comes to Menifee citizens in need.
The job titles were originally created to monitor the skate park built in Audie Murphy Ranch. And while that is on the top of the list in priorities -- especially for Ingraham, whose jurisdiction includes the park -- their duties have blossomed into the models of what a Ranger should be.
In addition to the homeless outreach, the Rangers also heavily focus on community outreach. An example of their most recent involvement is the Campfire Program held in Spirit Park throughout the summer months.
Families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs out to the park to enjoy an old fashioned campfire with community members. The Rangers also offer programs during the campfire that aim to teach visitors about all the nature Menifee uniquely offers. That includes a short nature walk where guests participate in a few minutes of silence, to embrace what nature has to offer.
“We had one family at a campfire event who had never seen a campfire or made s’mores,” explained Samson. “It’s hard to believe that a family living in Menifee hasn’t had that opportunity, but that’s the truth for so many people. And that’s what we are here for, to reach the people who have even the smallest needs that we can meet. Like a campfire.”
The Rangers also extend their reach to schools, Scouts programs, and events within the parks such as the most recent skate park event, where Menifee pro scooter rider Chandler Dunn spent the day riding with Menifee youth.
Another lofty task Ingraham holds is the responsibility of field allocations. She ensures the approvals and scheduling of all Menifee teams that utilize the parks for practices and games. There are currently eight different leagues that request field usage, and some of those leagues include over 800 players. With the City of Menifee operating with only one lighted field at night and having to ensure that only Menifee teams who are authorized to use fields do so, Ingraham has had her work cut out for her.
“Even though this has been quite the task,” says Hendrix, “Ranger Ingraham has come up with the most fair and comprehensive allocation system we have seen. And so far under her system, there has been nearly no fighting among the leagues because it’s just undeniably fair to everyone.”
Aside from their loaded job description, the pair are also heavily qualified in the fields of care. The two represent the Public Safety Committee, attend trainings with Cal Fire, and work hand in hand with both neighboring police departments and soon with Menifee’s very own police force.
“They truly are the glue for the community,” says Hendrix. “They stand for compassion and education, and they truly make themselves available to do anything the community needs. They're that go-between for needs that you maybe wouldn’t say, call the police over, but still need that help.”
And these Rangers want the community to know they are eager to hear from you. With a hotline number available to any and all residents, the Rangers actively respond to any calls they receive or word given that someone is in need. Even if it’s just to know the best spot to hike.
“Menifee has so many little secret spots to offer that you don’t even know about. Such ecologically diverse areas that people don’t even know are open to the public,” says Ingraham. “And we’re happy to share that information with people. We’re happy to share any information with people. Even if you have questions about plants or animals out there, we like answering those questions, too. We just want people to know that Menifee has much more to offer than just driving down Newport.”
If you would like to reach out to the Park Rangers, call the Park Ranger Hotline at 951-723-3888.
