The Heartbeat Behind Our Parks

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into something, only to describe it with the phrase "blood, sweat, and tears"? It’s a powerful expression, one that resonates deeply with the essence of commitment and passion. While its origin might not be definitive, it was Winston Churchill who, in a 1940 address to Parliament—his first as wartime Prime Minister—offered the solemn words: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.” This phrase has since become a measure of the maximum effort one can give, and it aptly describes the dedication of our teams in a very real, often literal, sense.

This month, as I traveled from the storm-swept coast to the foothills of the Blue Ridge, I was not only awed by some of the most breathtaking scenery our country has to offer but also deeply moved by the hard work, the toil, and even the blood that makes our parks so extraordinary. Thankfully, most of our coastal sites were minimally impacted by Debby, but the cleanup was still a monumental task. At Edisto, the hardest-hit park where a tornado had torn through, I witnessed a team already hard at work, driven by an unwavering commitment to restore the site. The response from our rangers across the state has been nothing short of phenomenal, and a quick glance at our social media pages reveals just how much effort has gone into these cleanups.

At Edisto, I saw firsthand the sweat and toil Churchill spoke of—and even the blood. Fortunately, the latter was a minor injury—a small cut sustained by Assistant Manager Matt Coleman. Senior Ranger and Safety Officer Adrianne Bagwell was on hand to provide first aid, and before long, they were both back at work. While cuts and scratches are par for the course when working in the field, our safety teams and practices have been instrumental in minimizing major accidents. However, they can’t prevent the sweat and toil that are a daily part of our team's work. The effort that goes into maintaining and improving our parks is relentless, and while it's easy to notice the hard work during major cleanups, the reality is that this dedication is a daily experience for our teams—an effort that, when done right, often goes unnoticed by the average visitor.

In the upstate, I toured several parks and was inspired by the incredible projects underway. At Table Rock, the manager proudly showed me a new bridge they replaced with the help of volunteers. It might not have been far for a hiker, but for those carrying lumber and supplies, it was no easy feat. The team, supported by volunteers, decided to tackle this project, hauling in every piece of lumber, screws, and supports to replace the old footbridge in a single day. This was all done on one of the busiest trails in our system—a trail that also boasts a shelter two miles up, which our team rebuilt after a storm. Our crews, often led by Michael Watkins, our State Trails Coordinator, can be found hiking with hand tools, chainsaws, and more, doing the hard work necessary to keep the trails open and clear—a level of dedication and sweat that many will never know.

As you visit our parks in the coming weeks, I can promise you one thing: our teams have prepared them for your enjoyment. Despite limited resources, understaffed teams, and often outdated equipment, they have given every measure of “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” to ensure you have a great experience. To the teams across South Carolina, thank you for your unwavering dedication.

Paul