Park Hosts Ronald and Michelle Agnitti

Dedicated, hardworking and always willing to lend a helping hand, Ronald and Michelle Agnitti have become an important part of the team at Huntington Beach State Park. Their commitment to keeping the park beautiful and welcoming reflects their appreciation for the role South Carolina State Parks played in their own journey of healing and recovery.

Ron, 61, and Michelle, 58, are proud parents of two adult children, ages 31 and 30. Ron grew up in Clinton, Massachusetts, while Michelle was raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Today, they call Conway, South Carolina, home.

Before becoming park hosts, both Ron and Michelle built careers centered around serving others. Ron is semi-retired and continues to work as a travel planner and handyman. Michelle works part-time as a delivery driver and has also assisted with the family handyman business. Their strong work ethic and willingness to help others continue to shine through in their volunteer service.

When they are not volunteering, Ron and Michelle enjoy gardening, traveling, home improvement projects and spending time with their grandchildren. Michelle also enjoys playing the guitar, and both are active in their church community.

Their decision to become park hosts came after a challenging period in their lives. Following Michelle's recovery from injuries and Ron's recovery from illness, the couple embraced an active outdoor lifestyle and became Ultimate Outsiders. After a year of camping and visiting parks throughout South Carolina, they felt inspired to give back to the places that had contributed so much to their health and recovery.

Ron and Michelle have volunteered at both Myrtle Beach State Park and Huntington Beach State Park. At Huntington Beach, they assist with a variety of tasks that help keep the park looking its best. Ron spends much of his time mowing grass, clearing leaves and sand from walkways and campsites, removing litter, assisting with event parking, providing directions to visitors, helping visitors contact park staff when needed and assisting with storm and event cleanup.

One of Ron's favorite responsibilities is mowing and blowing because he enjoys seeing the park look neat, clean and well-maintained. Michelle especially enjoys interacting with visitors and helping keep the park clean by collecting debris and ensuring guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the park.

One memorable moment for Ron came while he was mowing. A visitor stopped to compliment the park's appearance, telling him it looked as though not a leaf was out of place. Ron thanked him but was quick to share the credit, explaining that the park's appearance is the result of a dedicated team of maintenance staff, volunteers and rangers all working together.

Ron and Michelle appreciate the unique pace of park life. As Ron puts it, "The leaves are always going to fall. There will always be sand on the walkways." Rather than worrying about what can't be controlled, they focus on enjoying their time in the park and helping create a positive experience for visitors.

As Ultimate Outsiders, both have developed favorite parks across the state. Michelle especially enjoys Keowee-Toxaway State Park because of the many opportunities for outdoor recreation and paddleboarding on the nearby lakes. Ron names Huntington Beach State Park and Dreher Island State Park among his favorites and also enjoys spending time paddleboarding. Together, they look forward to exploring newer additions to the park system, including Pine Island.

Their positive outlook is reflected in one of Ron's favorite sayings: "Blow with the wind."

Through their dedication, positivity and commitment to service, Ron and Michelle help ensure that visitors have a memorable experience while enjoying one of South Carolina's most treasured parks. Their willingness to give their time and talents helps keep Huntington Beach State Park welcoming, beautiful and enjoyable for all who visit.

We are grateful for Ron and Michelle's contributions and for the dedication of all park hosts across South Carolina State Parks. Their hard work often takes place behind the scenes, but its impact is seen and appreciated by visitors every day.

If you are interested in becoming a Park Host, contact the park you are interested in directly to learn more about volunteer opportunities.

"Mowing and blowing, keeping a shine on the park." — Ronald Agnitti