“Come out to the park; enjoy the boat rentals, the campsite, or the swimming. There is something for everyone from golf to fine food.”

Nick Guinn became the Park Ranger at Lake Guntersville State Park on June 1 of 2006. I caught him at the lodge, one morning recently, and we had an interesting chat about his job and about the park he works so hard to manage.

He is an energetic 26 years old with an engaging personality and a ready smile who originally came from Aurora, Illinois. His father moved the family to Gulf Shores and eventually started to work in the park system around 1988. He became the Park Superintendent at Gulf Shores State Park where he still resides. Nick was around four years old when he left the winter snows of Illinois and moved to the winter sands of Alabama. (He loves it when the snow falls here in the mountains)

Nick, after graduating from high school, studied at the Policed Academy. After graduation he came to Guntersville, from Gulf Shores, where he was assigned. The police work fascinated him, but he was reassigned to the park management program where he will no doubt follow in his father’s footsteps.

In his present supervisory capacity he has the responsibility of between sixty and eighty people. When the park campgrounds and facilities are again functioning, that figure will be over one hundred. His enthusiastic attitude, and his consideration for the park family, are definite assets in his management abilities. Fortunately, each area has a manager, who reports to him thereby alleviating him of individual needs of each person.

. It is good to know that most of the park is up and running again, and by calling 256-571-5444 you can get updates on availability at any time. There are 32 hiking trails, boat rental facilities at Town Creek (about three miles further than the park entrance on 227), the lodge with its hotel rooms, meeting rooms and restaurant, 11 chalets, and vast camping sites; his responsibilities are not a small matter. Under normal conditions no one at the park works more than 40 hours and 5 days per week. Of course, these are not normal times, and at present Nick’s job is close to a 24/7 work week

In his spare time, (and I use that term cautiously these days) Nick enjoys hiking, boating, investigating new areas of the park, fishing, and golf. He never tires of the mountain views, especially when there has been a dusting of snow on their tops, and on the trees that make our Lake Guntersville State Park so beautiful.

He lives in a house with his dog. It is within the park boundaries where he enjoys the silence of nature and the beautiful setting of the park. His home was left without blemish from the storms.

Nick loves people and he enjoys the interaction that comes from being with them and their varied opinions. He is looking forward to meeting all of you.