Volunteer Spotlight, Barry and Rosalie Coddington
Barry and Rosalie Coddington
Myakka River State Park
“This park is our heart,” says volunteer Rosalie Coddington. Rosalie and husband Barry have been visiting Myakka River State Park for over 20 years and volunteering for the past four. Their passion for the park, its wildlife and the people the park serves is palpable. They have spent a great amount of time thoroughly exploring and enjoying the many trails. They have shared their love with their family as well, noting that their 20-year-old granddaughter knows Myakka better than many people. “She grew up discovering the park with us,” Rosalie says.
Originally from the Hudson River Valley, the couple are longtime nature lovers. Barry grew up in the country, hunting and fishing, and Rosalie is an avid nature photographer.
They both appreciate the diverse wildlife at Myakka. “This park is amazing," says Barry. "I don’t think you could find another park with what we have here.” Rosalie’s favorite animal is the alligator. Through the lens of her camera, Rosalie captures images that inspire folks to slow down, look, and appreciate the beauty around them.
“She really has an amazing way with animals," Barry says. “I grew up hunting and I know deer and their movements and behaviors. I have seen her once, following a 10 point buck who was chasing a doe. Rosalie sweet-talked him until he lay down nearby! It was unbelievable.”
This connection has helped her create beautiful photographs as well as see many special animal behaviors. She plans to combine these into a book to further share the beauty of the park.
Normal volunteer tasks include trimming, debris and litter pickup, and bathroom cleanup. Barry and Rosalie really love interacting with visitors from all over the world as they do their work.
The couple is providing a very important service. New safety standards dictate that bathrooms are cleaned every two hours, and the Coddingtons work hard to keep visitors safe. They plan to stay well into the fall to help the park staff with their workload.
Their volunteering was born of their passion for Myakka. “We really truly want to give back to the park,” they say, and their actions demonstrate an immense commitment to that goal.