Good morning,
everybody. I know you've all come a long way to enjoy the park and I
know you didn't come all that way to hear me talk, so I'll be brief.
I
do want to acquaint you with our park just a little bit. First, and I don't
mean to be a wet blanket, but we do have some rules you'll need to know.
They are posted at each camping area and around the park, so you'll probably
come across them. Keep in mind that they are designed to make sure everyone
enjoys their stay in the park as much as possible.
Some of you may
be wondering how long this park has been here. Well, High Pines Park was built
in the 1930s by the government. It was part of a national effort to put people
left unemployed by the Great Depression to work. Today, the park covers 1,200
acres of old growth pine forest and includes 500 campsites and two boat-rental
docks.
The park's land encompasses four ponds, two streams and
one mountain, which reaches about 6,800 feet in height.
As you may
be able to tell by looking around, there are a lot of pinewoods here. Those
woods are home to many animals, from white-tail deer and black bear to coyotes,
moose and fox. Raccoons and squirrels will be scampering around your campsite.
Overhead, you'll see bald eagles and red-tailed hawks.
If you
take out a boat and throw in a fishing line, you'll have a good chance
of hooking a lake trout or a largemouth bass.
Finally, before you go
and enjoy the day, I just want to let you know that the park visitor's
center is open 24 hours a day. It is a great place to go for information.
We run a film about the park continuously. Everyone who works there is happy
to answer any question.
With that, I'll let you go. Be safe and
enjoy your stay.
Park wardens represent the park to visitors,
so it's important for them to be professional, informative and diplomatic.