The city of Jonesboro has launched its City Park Ranger Program, marking a milestone as one of the first municipalities in Arkansas to develop a full-time initiative blending public safety, law enforcement, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.
The four full-time rangers are Joshua Andrews, Myles Copenhaver, Brandon Curry, and Christian Munoz. They began work during the last month of July, and completed several weeks of training before patrolling throughout the city. They specifically trained in park safety to community engagement. The rangers will serve across Jonesboro’s 26 parks, community centers, Downtown Entertainment District, green spaces, and citywide special events.
“Most folks are familiar with state and national park rangers, but the role of city park ranger appears to be unique,” said Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “Some communities have volunteers helping in their city parks. However, with the large number of parks and community centers in Jonesboro, it’s important we dedicate trained staff for our residents’ and visitors’ safety while enjoying our parks.”
These positions fall under the Code Enforcement Department. Park Rangers are trained in de-escalating situations, crowd management, and emergency medical response. They also receive education on park rules, layouts, features, and interesting facts about nature, flora, and wildlife in Jonesboro’s parks. In addition, these Rangers will become certified crowd managers to support safe planning and execution of special events across the city.
“This isn’t just a milestone – it’s a movement,” said Copenhaver. We’re reimagining what public service looks like in our parks, our neighborhoods, and our events. These Park Rangers represent a new era of visibility, safety, and community pride.
Related
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
