Volunteer Spotlight, Margaret Von Ehr
Margaret Von Ehr
Colt Creek State Park
Never in her wildest dreams did Margaret think she would become a Florida State Parks volunteer. Margaret and her husband Gerry purchased a new 5th wheel RV travel trailer and wanted to learn about campgrounds in Florida. In 2006 they read about a new state park in Lakeland... Colt Creek State Park. There was going to be an informational meeting prior to the opening of the park and that is where it began.
Scott Spaulding was the park manager at the time, and after learning about the park and asking questions, Margaret was asked to volunteer in the ranger station; a shed with a port-a-let. Her first day was June 1, 2007. The administrative assistant was retiring, and Scott needed someone to help, so Margaret became a volunteer! Margaret has encouraged her family, especially her grandchildren, to become volunteers at Colt Creek.
Her favorite part of being a volunteer at Colt Creek State Park is that she gets to meet so many visitors, volunteers, and the staff. Margaret also enjoys working with another Scott, park manager Scott Duncan. Margaret has been on the board of the Friends of Colt Creek since its conception, and an associate member of the Florida Park Rangers Association. Being a member of the FPRA gives her another perspective of the park system and its operations from the state level.
“I would like to think my enthusiasm about the park I share with others would want people to enjoy Colt Creek and return to the park.”