Rangers conduct various programs for groups throughout the year on topics such as fishing, hunter safety, careers in park law enforcement, and bicycle safety.

Ranger Dave Vnuck is now a certified personal fitness trainer for the Park District. He is available to help you with your fitness goals on the Slippery Elm Trail and in our parks. Watch Events on this site and your local papers for special programs. To set up a program for your self or your group, or for more information, contact Dave at dvnuck@wcparks.org or 419-575-7337.

… To protect and serve while providing community leadership by developing crime prevention partnerships.

Vision Statement

The Ranger Department will provide quality services to the community and develop community partnerships to reduce the fear of crime, while using problem-solving techniques to enhance visitor experiences at all park district facilities. The Rangers shall take a leadership role in the community with the purpose of implementing community policing objectives.

About Wood County Park District Rangers

• Department created - 1992

• Park Rangers are granted the authority to exercise all police powers within Parks, property under Park District control, and all properties adjacent to those under Park District control

• Our Rangers are all certified by the State of Ohio as Peace Officers as are all other Law Enforcement Officers in Ohio

Park Ranger Staff

• Five full-time Rangers

Rangers use a variety of methods to patrol our parks and preserves:

• In addition to vehicle and foot patrol, one of our most visible patrol methods is bicycle patrol along the Slippery Elm Trail.

• As part of our regular patrol, Park Rangers respond to numerous calls for service and provide assistance to park visitors throughout the year

• In addition to regular patrol duties, Park Rangers also provide security and traffic control at special events sponsored by the Park District each year

Community-Oriented Policing Programs

Park Rangers offer a variety of programs to further our goal of keeping our parks and visitors safe:

• Neighborhood Park Watch signs are posted in all parks and Park Watch groups are forming.

• A Volunteer bike Patrol was formed in 1999 to provide an extra set of "eyes and ears" along the Slippery Elm Trail.

Ranger Program topics:

• Hunting and Fishing Education, often conducted in cooperation with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Division of Watercraft

• Use Your Head – Wear a Helmet Bike Safety Program rewards children "caught" by a Ranger when wearing their bike helmets. Children are given a silver ranger sticker to place on their helmet and receive kids meals, ice cream cones, and other goodies donated by local restaurants.

• Bike Rodeos held in cooperation with other Police, Fire and EMS departments throughout Wood County help raise awareness among parents and children of the importance of bicycle safety.

• Fishing Derbies

Without donations from local retailers, bike helmet giveaways and fishing derby prizes would not be possible.

All mail correspondence to Wood County Park District Headquarters, 18729 Mercer Road, Bowling Green, OH 43402.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Chief Ranger Todd Nofzinger tnofzinger@wcparks.org cell (419) 575-7336

Ranger Ernie Shiffler eshiffler@wcparks.org cell (419) 575-7335

Ranger Doug Carr dcarr@wcparks.org 419-575-7333

Ranger Aaron Leist aleist@wcparks.org 419-575-7337

Ranger Travis Simons tsimons@wcparks.org 419-575-7334

Ranger Dave Vnuck dvnuck@wcparks.org 419-575-7331

ASK A RANGER: ranger@wcparks.org  

--Park Safety questions

--Hunter Safety questions

--Information about what  

  Rangers do

HUNTING & FISHING QUESTIONS: 

Ranger Doug Carr dcarr@wcparks.org 419-575-7333

SAFETY & FIRST AID QUESTIONS:

Ranger Ernie Shiffler eshiffler@wcparks.org 419-575-7335

ADOPT-A-TRAIL QUESTIONS & INFORMATION:

At this time, please contact: Chris Smalley csmalley@wcparks.org 419-353-1897 ext 103

GEOCACHE QUESTIONS & INFORMATION:

At this time, please contact: Chris Smalley csmalley@wcparks.org 419-353-1897 ext 103

SEASONAL RANGER EVENTS:

Winter

• Check if the ice is safe to skate on at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve in Perrysburg. To find out ice conditions, call 800-321-1897 ext. ICE.

Spring/Summer

• No mushroom hunting. 

• Poison ivy and tick season is upon us.  To avoid these stay on the trails provided. Do not allow pets to run free through the weeds, ticks are waiting. 

• Walleye fishing is over, and trail enthusiasts are hitting the trail now. Please obey stop signs for your own safety and be a leader for the kids.