Leon Bequille
Leon was born in Michigan and spent his childhood in upstate New York. His father bought a service station in Florida when Leon was 14, and he has lived here on and off ever since.
Leon developed his love for the outdoors later in life. He took a paramedic job in Yellowstone National Park when he was 40 years old. His outdoor experience was limited before that, but Yellowstone changed everything. Backpacking, hiking, canoeing, travel and wildlife watching all became the focus of his life. “It was truly transitional,” says Leon, “and gave me great respect for the outdoors and the local, state and federal parks that make nature accessible.”
What he likes best about the outdoors is the freedom and a chance for solitude or sharing something wondrous with a friend. The beauty of the natural world has no equal.
Leon’s favorite thing about Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park and Price’s Scrub is the remnants from the old ranching days. The old pumps, dikes, berms, fences and troughs that remain tell an interesting story. The best part of the story is that the ranches served their purpose during those years and now we have the chance to return the land we “borrowed” back to nature.
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