First, I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience. I have to ask, though: with whom were you dealing? A park employee, the park management or someone higher up in the chain?

Second, a new Commissioner just took the reins at GADNR, and he's a big-time State Park supporter. I wouldn't be surprised to see (or hear) an increase in advertising. Prime-time national network advertising doesn't work for local causes like this, with the exception of car dealers. The DNR would be wise to put its money where the audience it really wants to attract is: public broadcasting channels; Discovery, TLC, and Travel Channel (to name a few) through local cable networks. And then there are local papers, outdoors magazines, outfitter websites.

Backing up a little bit: the GA State Parks recently revamped its marketing strategy. It's gotten better, but there is still significant improvement to be made. The Friends of GA SP have jumped on the bandwagon, too. The direct marketing we've been doing for the new Chattahoochee Bend SP is "astounding" (word of the man in charge of the Friends org.). We already have 40 members for a park that won't be officially open until next year, and we expect to add another dozen during our first annual meeting next weekend.

The customer service issues, however, are embedded in bureaucratic policies that won't change overnight, so there will, unfortunately, be circumstances like the one you experienced... until the right people get involved and make the change happen.

However... as is the case with many customer NO-service issues, going up the hierarchy to get satisfaction is your best bet. It may be too late for that now, but hopefully the stain it's left will fade quickly.

Happy trails!

*S

First, I'm sorry you had an unpleasant experience. I have to ask, though: with whom were you dealing? A park employee, the park management or someone higher up in the chain?

It's the reservation center. First I talked to the poor lady that answered the phone, then her supervisor and tomorrow I will talk to the Assistant Manager of the DNR. She only works Monday - Thursday and I called on Friday.

I won't totally abandon the parks and maybe this fall, when I get the camping urge, I will feel different. Only time will tell.

tomorrow I will talk to the Assistant Manager of the DNR

heh... when you do, tell her we'd like a couple inches of pine straw spread on every campsite... ;-)

*S

heh... when you do, tell her we'd like a couple inches of pine straw spread on every campsite... ;-)

Sure. I'll add it to my list. She won't think I'm crazy at all.

The DNR would be wise to put its money where the audience it really wants to attract is: public broadcasting channels

They do sort of already do this. The show Georgia Outdoors as well as the Georgia Traveler are always highlighting the state parks....but unfortunately the numbers of folks that watch PBS is probably smaller than any other network.

Being a Friends member and receiving the discounts and perks has a "price" beyond the $$ you hand over for membership, and that little bit extra -- volunteering -- carries rewards greater than 10% off in the gift shop and the free night of camping.

I'm just curious - what kind of things are there for you to volunteer to do?

I'm just curious - what kind of things are there for you to volunteer to do?

I just researched and planted a series in Reed Bingham State Park in SW GA and discovered this volunteering opportunity. Sounds very interesting!

http://www.gastateparks.org/core/item/page.aspx?s=167648.0.1.5

MH

what kind of things are there for you to volunteer to do?

Whew... if I were to list everything, you'd be reading for a long time!

So let's go with what we'll be doing in the near future at Chattahoochee Bend...

• clean-up
• rare/endangered flora protection
• history hikes
• archaeological scouting
• mapping
• trail blazing
• trail building

and, of course, letterboxing...

*S

Alright....so I bought a family membership to the Friends of GA State Parks too....I meant to do it originally when you sent out the details....

VERY COOL!
Thanks for the info!
-ShutterBug

Oh... and there's also:

• public awareness and relations
• membership drives
• communications (I'm doing the newsletter, press releases and website (which should be *live* in a day or two))
• interaction with local government (Coweta County's support for getting the park built has been phenomenal)
• event organization

... the list goes on...

*S

So, do they give you a list of these opportunities when you sign on?

So, do they give you a list of these opportunities..

Yes, they do.

Thanks, Buttercup.

You're welcome.

I've tried about 10 searches and have gotten zero results... do they not have any volunteer events listed?

Volunteer events are handled by the Friends chapter at each park. If the chapter for your "home" park doesn't have a website, you should call or visit the park and ask for the chapter contacts.

*S

I was just talking about the volunteer project calendar- I can't find anything on it!

Right. Check with the local Friends chapter. I can tell you what's happening at The Bend, but it's a bit far for you guys. ;-)

*S

I was just talking about the volunteer project calendar- I can't find anything on it!

The Friends chapter list is here. -- a place to start.