Ranger takes on All Terrain Park

Not too many jobs come with a house, let alone a very large forest park as its garden. But Jarron McInnes, his wife Julie and their two young sons will soon be the sole permanent residents in the TECT All Terrain Park in Upper Pyes Pa. Jarron, 40, from Napier has been selected from 27 applicants for the position of Park Ranger, employed by the Council. A ranger’s house and a 4WD ute come with the job, as does responsibility for the day-to-day running and supervision of the park 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A dream job?

"Yes, it sure is,” says Jarron who comes to the role with 24 years of forestry, logging and fire fighting experience under his belt, helicopter flight training and skills in youth training and forestry management.
Jarron’s appointment gives the public of the Western Bay region a sure signal that planning is on track for the park’s opening.

It’s early days yet for Jarron, who only joined the Council team on February 16. He will spend his first few months becoming oriented to the diversity of the 1638-hectare park, meeting with user groups and developing a fire protection plan for the park.

He will be personally visiting Pyes Pa residents in the park “neighbourhood” to introduce himself and he will host visitors and groups to the park as well as working alongside the many volunteers on planting and track building projects.

Park Manager Ric Balfour says Jarron won the job from a strong set of candidates.

“We are very fortunate to have found someone of Jarron’s calibre. He brings a wealth of experience managing forests and people. He has a particularly strong background in rural fire fighting and is only two hours away from his private helicopter pilot licence.’’

The ranger’s house design has been completed and construction is timed for the McInnes family to move up to the park by mid-year.