Volunteer Spotlight, Maria and Scott Eaton

Volunteer Spotlight, Maria and Scott Eaton

Alafia River State Park

First-time resident volunteers Scott and Maria Eaton hail from Watkins Glen, New York. They both have interesting careers when not helping the Florida Park Service. Scott has been a firefighter for the last 19 years, while Maria has been a volunteer firefighter for 20 years and a salon owner for 25 years. As visitors to Alafia River State Park for over the last six years, Scott and Maria became a regular staple as campers in the winter season, eventually being approached by the rangers at Alafia River State Park to become resident volunteers for the upcoming season. Scott and Maria accepted and began their tour of duty at Alafia on January of 2021.

The Eatons are avid mountain bikers and love to share their appreciation for our park’s unique topography and trails that  provide exceptional recreational opportunities for visitors and campers. The Eatons believe in leaving a place in better shape than when they first found it; therefore, they have gone above and beyond to improve our park and would love to eventually begin volunteering at other state parks. Alafia River State Park is privileged to have volunteers like Scott and Maria Eaton.