New Ranger Station

The old Ranger Station, built in 1976, was determined unsafe after the storm surge from Hurricane Helene and Milton in 2024. As a result, it was decided to put a shed on a trailer to temporarily replace the old Ranger Station until a new permanent Ranger Station could be built. Although the shed is considered a temporary solution, this design is still an effective way to safely serve park visitors and campers. Also, since the new building is situated on a flatbed trailer, it is now considered portable. In the event of a major storm threat, it can easily be moved to a safer location.

Some of the things the team was able to accomplish internally are as follows: installed the unfinished building with electrical outlets, interior drywall, laminate flooring, a ceiling fan, window blinds, window trim, light fixtures (inside and out), a fresh coat of paint (inside and out), and office furnishings. The shed is also equipped with air conditioning and makes the workspace comfortable during the summer heat.

Day visitors and campers are served from the front deck (soon to be covered). The deck also displays signage for camper directions and park visitor information. Park staff use a dedicated cell phone to communicate with the public and internet access via MiFi until a network line is installed.

Without some creative ideas and some ingenuity, the prospect of a new Ranger Station would not have been possible in such a short amount of time. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers that helped to bring this project to life!