Barry and Rosalie Coddington
Volunteer Team of Two of the Year Award for Protection
Barry and Rosalie Coddington have been dedicated summer volunteers at Myakka River State Park, contributing more than 3,200 hours each since June 2017.
The Coddingtons prioritize protection of the resource while achieving high maintenance standards and providing a positive visitor experience via roving interpretation. The Coddingtons volunteer in the summer, and they expect sweltering heat, pesky insects and drenching rains. But they never seem to slow down in harsh conditions.
Every year, thousands of people visit the park to photograph the blooming coreopsis in the Big Flats Marsh, an area where Barry and Rosalie work to control invasive plants.
They also show their commitment to resource protection by completing fire extinguisher reports and safety inspections in addition to flagging and coordinating removal of hazardous limbs suspended over the park drive.
Barry and Rosalie spent a week scrubbing the 500-foot-long Birdwalk, a pier-like structure extending out over Upper Myakka Lake and a popular spot in the park for bird-watching.
Congratulations to Barry and Rosalie on this award. Their dedication and support are appreciated.
2021 Florida State Parks Volunteer Recognition Winner
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