Staff Spotlight, Connie Riley
Park Ranger, Connie Riley
George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park
Connie Riley has always had a deep connection to the land and ancient people of Florida. It was her lifelong dream to become a park ranger, something she has accomplished at George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park.
To Connie, being a part of the Florida Park Service means being a steward, caring for the land and animals by doing things like cleaning up trash that people leave behind and teaching visitors why it is important to step carefully on the earth. Like all staff here, Connie works not only at the fishing bridge but also at neighboring Amelia Island State Park, Fort George Island Cultural State Park, Big Talbot Island State Park and Little Talbot Island State Park. Her favorite place is the Bluffs scenic overlook and picnic area on Big Talbot. At all of the parks she enjoys hiking in the cooler months and looking for wildlife.
Connie has many projects of which to be proud, but most notable was working the Hurricane Irma clean-up. It was her first time participating in natural disaster recovery, and she says it was incredible to be part of a team who worked tirelessly to safely reopen the Florida State Parks in the panhandle for visitors after such a storm.
Connie hopes to see you soon at George Crady Bridge Fishing Pier State Park.