Park Ranger Jonathan Rexrode
Park Service Profiles
Jonathan Rexrode joins us for this month’s park service profile from Keowee-Toxaway State Park. Rexrode has been at Keowee-Toxaway since October 2015, but has been a part of the South Carolina State Park Service since birth. Rexrode’s father is a longtime employee of the state park service as well. After growing up quite literally in and around the parks, Rexrode knew he wanted to be a park ranger.
Rexrode spent most of his childhood at Lake Greenwood State Park in Greenwood, South Carolina and Baker Creek State Park in McCormick, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Criminal Justice. He officially started his state park career as an assistant ranger at Oconee State Park, moved to Lake Greenwood to become a full time ranger, and most recently moved Keowee-Toxaway.
According to Rexrode, the most satisfying thing about his job is when a family is leaving his park and takes the time to compliment the park and its staff. On the flipside, he says the most challenging part of his job is when a customer has a complaint or issue he can’t fix. When asked if he would encourage others to become a park ranger, he said he would. Rexrode says: “You won’t get rich doing this, but in the end you will love what you do and you won’t regret it.”
Thank you, Ranger Jonathan, for all you do!