City of Everett Eliminates Park Rangers

Photo credit: Britney Barber

As part of the budget approved by the City Council last night, all five Park Ranger positions have been eliminated.

Everett’s park rangers were tasked with managing Everett’s 45 parks.

As the eyes and ears of the parks, the rangers were often found driving from park to park, closing restrooms, locking the six gates, and providing support to other departments.

The city reassures us that the Everett Police Department remains in charge of park safety. Britney Barber’s interview of Ranger David Green clearly displays the rangers did play a role.

In the short term, the Parks Department plans to close some park restrooms and install portable restrooms that will remain open at all hours in the nine most used parks. They are also considering taking volunteers and leaving all park gates open.

Eliminating the Park Ranger program will save the city about $600,000 a year.

The five full-time positions were for four rangers and their supervisor. All but one ranger elected to participate in the Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP). The remaining ranger was reassigned to the Everett Utility Services department.