Kid Tracks: Kid Tracks Column: Park rangers great resource for families

Rangers at state parks are some of the most helpful people you'll ever meet, especially if you're new to outdoor adventuring with your family.

When the girls were 4 and 5 years old we visited Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport. The girls were curious about the signs identifying the type of trees on one of the trails and when one of the park's rangers overheard them asking questions, he came over to chat with the girls about the trees. He then suggested we attend the guided nature program happening a short time later that included a scavenger hunt-type worksheet to learn how to identify the trees at the park.

That was my daughters' first introduction to a state park ranger and they haven't forgotten one of the tips that ranger told them that day about white pine trees - there are five letters in the word w-h-i-t-e and that's how many needles are in each buddle on a white pine.

My girls share this tip often and feel quite smug in their knowledge of their home state's official tree.

The girls and I recently took a trip to Florida and planned to take a canoe paddle my cousins had suggested in the Ocala National Forest. They raved about the seven-mile paddle and we put it on our "must do" list during our visit. But when we arrived at the river a sentence at the bottom of the canoe rental flier sent up a red flag for me.

"This is not a beginner paddle."

The kids and I are not beginner paddlers but being the solo parent on this particular adventure and with my unfamiliarity with Florida waterways, I opted to consult one of the rangers at the park about the statement. The ranger asked me a couple of questions before answering mine.

"Can you steer a canoe well?"

"I do OK and have been out on rivers and ponds many times in Maine."

"How well do the kids paddle?"

"Umm, they do OK generally but don't have a ton of experience. They usually rely on me to steer."

"How many canoes are you renting?

"Just one. It's just me and the girls."

"This is not a paddle I would recommend. Here's why..."

That's when the ranger explained the obstacles in this particular river and the likelihood (very high for novices) of flipping over in the first two turns. Since Florida is known for alligators in all its waters (the reason we wanted to visit this location in the first place was because of the wildlife sighting options), we were not keen on a paddle that might result in a flip. The ranger also went on to explain that she did not recommend this particular paddle for a solo canoe. It was best enjoyed traveling in a group.

The ranger made a suggestion of a beginner paddle she thought matched our interest and skill level on a river about 15 miles away.

That paddle turned out to be exactly right for us.

Once again this experience confirmed for me that park rangers are some of the best resources for families new to a particular park.

My family has visited less than half of all the Maine State Parks (we're working on getting to them all before the kids graduate from high school) but have found each one we have visited to be wonderfully unique. Each visit to a new-to-us park almost always includes a short chat with a ranger about the area.

"Rangers expect to answer questions and interpret what people see around them to explain the types of trees, birds and animals at each state park. Visitors should walk up to anyone who has a state park uniform on and ask a question," explained Will Harris, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands director.

If you're interested in a more in-depth learning experience, there are interpretive ranger programs available to groups at several Maine state parks, including Bradbury, Mt. Blue, Sebago, Cobscook and Aroostook. Groups simply need to call ahead to arrange a time for a requested program.

Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park in Freeport publishes a monthly roundup of guided nature programs at the park on weekends and holidays each month at 2 p.m. No pre-registration is required. During May, the programs include a weekly Osprey Watch to learn about the bird's history and view their nesting area. There is also a hike with a ranger on the trails, activities on the natural history and ecology of the park's varied shores, a wildflower walk and more. To download a schedule of programs and/or trail map of this park go to www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/details.pl?park_id=31.

In the news recently there has been some hoolpa over the new fees at Mackworth Island and Kettle Cove, both managed by the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.

Both of these locations will have new "iron rangers" (metal fee collection receptacles) this season along with signage to request a fee of $2 residents, $3 non-resident, $1 kids 5-11 years. Neither of these locations will be staffed to collect fees. Harris explained that because of the public outcry about these new fees, "we're not enforcing fees (at these locations) at this time."

If you're looking for a free park visit, mark Sunday, June 20 on your calendar. It's Maine Day at state parks and historic sites and all Maine residents receive free admission to the parks that day.

Families can also take advantage of the state park pass as well. The 2010 Vehicle Pass Allows all the occupants of up to a one-ton vehicle free day-use for $70 for the year. Individual passes are also available for $35.

Highlights from my family's adventures at a few state parks over the years...

Bradbury Mountain State Park - 2004