The Cortez Parks and Recreation Department has introduced its Park Ranger Program, appointing Jay Dollar as the first lead park ranger. This initiative aims to keep city parks and recreation facilities clean, safe and welcoming for all visitors.
“When asked about the priorities for our park system, our residents cite increasing the safety and security as a top priority,” said Parks and Recreation Director Creighton Wright. “The Park Ranger Program is developed to directly increase the feeling of safety and security, and most important have a regular presence when people are using the parks the most. I expect Jay and the Park Ranger Program to make an immediate positive impact.”
Dollar, who brings more than 15 years of experience in emergency and community services, will lead the development of the program. His role includes guiding future park rangers, serving as a point of contact for visitors, answering questions, offering guidance, promoting volunteerism and ensuring responsible park use. The rangers will also collaborate with the Cortez Police Department to enforce rules and regulations in Cortez’s parks rules.
“I’m excited to get into the parks to meet our regular park users and address their concerns and improve their experience,” Dollar said. “I look forward to having the parks be safe and welcoming for everyone in the community.”
Dollar worked nearly three years as a 911 dispatcher with the Cortez Communications Center and also previously served as Supervisor of the Alternative Response Unit for the Farmington Fire Department in New Mexico previously.
The lead park ranger’s first event was the Celtic Fair on June 28, and he will assist with the city’s Fourth of July celebration at Parque de Vida. The city shared that Dollar’s priorities include developing a safety and security plan for all parks and recreation properties, launching a volunteer-based “Keep our Parks Beautiful” program and releasing a community input survey on safety and security concerns.
For more information about the Park Ranger Program, contact Dollar at jdollar@cortezco.gov.
