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State of New Hampshire (Concord, NH) – The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is proud to announce that Bill O’Connor, Franconia Notch State Park Manager, has been awarded a Silver Medal in the “America’s Ranger of the Year” category. O’Connor was the only ranger recognized in the Northeast. Winners were nominated and voted on by outdoor enthusiasts through the award program found on the website of Reserve America (www.reserveamerica.com), a camping reservation company. The annual awards are bestowed on the country’s top rangers who have devoted their careers to serving park visitors while preserving the country’s public lands for future generations. “Bill leads by example and is dedicated to making sure that the guests visiting Franconia Notch State Park get the best experience possible,” stated Ted Austin, Director of Parks and Recreation. “This award really commends Bill on a job well done and for his lifelong passion for the park system. We were ecstatic that he was recognized with this National Award.” O’Connor has been an employee of the Division for 27 years. He started his career at Cannon Mountain as lift operator and snowmaker. He quickly advanced to manager of the Flume Gorge and then manager of Franconia Notch State Park in 1992. O’Connor and his wife have used their own collection of historical artifacts to create a display within the Flume Gorge Visitor’s Center of the history of Franconia Notch State Park. Franconia Notch State Park is managed by the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation. The Division is comprised of the Parks Bureau, Bureau of Historic Sites, Bureau of Trails, and Cannon Mountain. The Division manages 71 properties, including state parks, beaches, campgrounds, historic sites, trails, waysides, and natural areas. The Division of Parks and Recreation is one of four divisions of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. To learn more, visit www.nhstateparks.org or call 603/271-3556. ### |
