NAME: Karen Sykes           

DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation

TITLE: Park Ranger

BACKGROUND: BS in Environmental, Soil, Water and Science from U of A, Fayetteville; Master of Public Administration from UALR

Fellowship with Rep. George McGill from Ft. Smith while in graduate school 

Ropes Course Director in Fayetteville

HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK? I began in April 2015.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR JOB? I am an ambassador, steward and protector of our parks, and I supervise and recruit a staff of volunteers who do the same. A typical day in the field consists of greeting people in our parks, looking for maintenance issues, picking up litter and ensuring that our patrons are safe.

In 2015 I created and implemented the award-winning Jr. Park Ranger Program for 9-12 year olds, which is a weeklong day camp during the summer where we teach children about nature and community building via our park system.

WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR WORK? Explaining to children how to better their lives and community by starting with themselves. Every time I run into one of my kids at one of our centers, they are full of hugs. It warms my heart every time.

WHAT SHOULD CITIZENS KNOW ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT? I think the low employee turnover rate says it all.

WHAT IS A FACT ABOUT YOU THAT MIGHT SURPRISE PEOPLE? I spent a winter working at an eco-camp on the island of St. John where over half of the land is designated as a national park. I worked four hours a day for room and board. I took down and replaced numerous ceiling fans, prepped concrete floors for painting, and tore out the inner wall of several cabins. The closest beach was a four minute walk away.   

WHAT IS DOWNTIME FOR YOU? Running, hiking, camping, floating, relaxing with friends and family, grilling in the back yard 

FAVORITE PLACE IN LITTLE ROCK? Rock Creek Trail

In America: New Orleans (hands down)

WHAT ONE WORD, PHRASE, OR QUOTE CAPTURES WHO YOU ARE?

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait
a single moment before starting to improve the world!"
-Anne Frank

My office is our parks. I have the best job in Little Rock!