I am visiting my parents in Garner, NC this week and visited White Deer Park for the first time.
Beautiful! But, you’re not allowed to use it.
My buddies and I learned how to hike and camp in these woods as kids. We knew them like the back of our hands. The short cuts, the creeks, the rope swing and the tobacco barns. Where there might have been a girl living at a distant cul-de-sac and how long it would take to escape the rock salt of old Mr. Thompson’s shotgun if found snooping on the edges of his peach orchard.
This was our home. Every day, from around 6 years old through high school.
So today, my father and I took my dog through the woods that once were our stomping grounds. Lovely walkways meander through the relatively mature pine and deciduous forest. Small bridges led me across those creeks and where that hay barn stood is now a pleasantly designed patio structure that would be great for a cookout.
Just beyond the parking lot is the learning deck. It boasted a lean design with lots of stone work and panel glass and had a canter-levered deck that solidly allowed for an aerial view of the forest below.
I thought ‘Wow! Garner is really moving up. This reminds me of Denver or Lake Tahoe’, as the clean lines and exposed pine brought me back to another time. I greeted the middle aged gal working the lone desk in the lobby/foyer and peered through a large glass wall/door at 2 people sitting opposite each other in a room probably 60×40. I exclaimed to her how nice I thought it was.
Me – Its great. Its beautiful. This was built recently..! Super! You know, I grew up right here. As a kid I used to run around in these woods. It looks really great, what you guys have done with the place. So, do you guys have wifi here?
Gal – No.
Me – When do you plan to add it?
Gal – We don’t?
Me – (head turn sideways ponder look on face) Ever..
Gal – No. We’re to far into the woods for wifi. (click here to see just how far into the woods it is – map)
Me – Ohh..
Walmart delivery guy walks in. Gal directs attention to him
I walk toward glass wall/door to see what the room is all about
Gal – You can’t go in there.
Me – Me?
Gal – Yes, they are having a meeting.
Me – Those 2 people?
Gal – Yes.
Me – Is there a schedule as to when I might be able to use the room?
Gal – No. You can rent it. You’ll need to call the number in the pamphlet.
Me – So you mean that the general public is not allowed in this room to say, ‘read, write, watch the forest..?’
Gal – No.
Me – Can someone sit outside?
Gal – Yes. I guess (huff..face of frustration)
Me – But not inside this beautiful room?
Gal – Correct (attention directed back to Walmart guy with smirk)
Me – Who does get to use the room?
Gal – We have programs and you can rent it. (hmmmfffffff back to Walmart guy)
Me – Thank you very much.
I guess some parts of Garner haven’t changed. What a pity.
Facility, landscaping crew whose work I witnessed and spoke with, overall park – World class!
Smug attitude and policy of troll bridge keeper – Massive fail!
I stumbled upon your blog and had to remark at what an incredibly different experience I’ve had at White Deer Park in Garner, NC. Like you, I really admire how the park is designed, the excellent playgrounds, the smooth walking trails, and the eco-friendliness of it all. In my opinion, the most impressive element of that place is the park supervisor though. Her name is Stephanie and she’s incredible! Stephanie knows so much about the park and the environment it resides in. She leads education groups and shares her knowledge. I’ve seen Stephanie on TV talking about the park and its role providing relaxation, recreation, and education to the community. I’d say that she’s one of Garner’s most impressive citizens.
-Sean
Thanks for the comment. I do not dispute her knowledge of the park or its contents. She may also be a great spokes model on tv. And thanks for pointing out her name. I assume she is Stephanie, Park Supervisor, from the Garner Parks Website. Inasmuch, I found it interesting that her email is published. I suppose that since she’s “so far in the woods”, she has to check her email at lunch when she’s back in civilization..
In any event, that’s not the point. The point is that she acted as if it were HER park when a stranger walked through the door. No “Welcome!” or “Glad you’re visiting!” or “Thanks, is there any way we can improve?” or “We really would really appreciate any suggestions you have.”
Nope. Instead, it was attitude and frustration from a 30 second interchange, which is a pity. She was just rude and smug. What a sour taste she created after such a pleasant experience in what has been my home for almost 30 years.
While I am certainly not, what if I had been a donor for that park and she’d acted like that?
If it’s the attitude that you perceived from her at the particular time you visited, I’m sure that a person with your credentials can show empathy and understanding towards another human being. I have no doubt that I’ve offended countless people in my life completely by accident because I was dealing with other issues concurrently and could not give them the special attention that he or she thought she deserved at that exact moment. I’ve done that and I’m sure that my responsibilities are slight compared with managing an entire park, its employees, its budget and all its accoutrements. Life is too short for negativity and name calling. That’s what I was always taught when I was growing up in Garner.
Being very familiar with that area, and the old hay barn that once sat in that spot I will have to plan a trip to take my dogs on an adventure there. I doubt I will be able to stay very long though as I am an IT professional and am on call 24×7. I may get by if the cellular coverage is decent, but if a serious issue were to arise I may have a problem. The “what-if” scenario is counterproductive to my attempts to relax. My needs may be in the minority of the average park visitor, however in this age most are interested in wi-fi even if it is just for recreational means. In the early 21st century where free wi-fi is at every McDonald’s and KOA, I would hope that a town interested in increasing its prestige would at least have plans to offer it in public areas, especially when comparing its low cost to many of the other amenities the town purchases. I normally do my best to be polite but I am sure I offend others as well, when I am the paying customer, but when I am working and representing my company or any entity, being rude or crass is simply unacceptable. The recognition of this critical difference is what separates those of us who work at a drive through window, and those who have ascended through their careers. To a working professional, nothing is more inconsiderate or ignorant than an “I dont care” attitude.
Thanks for your input, Mike. I could not agree with you more..it really is a pity
I made an attempt to gather more info from the P&R director before responsed (received your blog post on Google alerts for “Garner”) A 49-year resident of my hometown, can’t say I was pleased with the response 8 days later:
From: sonyashaw@garnernc.gov
Sent: Thu, 13 May 2010 12:04:37 -0400
To: phillip.ayscue@inbox.com
Subject: RE: White Deer Park
“We would never get any work done if we responded to the multiple blog postings about our parks, which is why Town Employees do not post on blogs. It appeared another citizen had some positive comments about the park as many of our users. Stephanie Moody is one of our hardest workers and great park manager. It would take more than a blog to change my mind on thatJ.”
While I am a bias Garner supporter, I am afraid I have more disappointment from this response from my May 5th email and the opportunity given to Ms. Shaw, with little concern for even the appearance that the town staff would not address a visitor with more consideration. I would take this opportunity to say to Aaron, I apologize on behalf of my town and hope it does not cloud your view of Garner. We have many, many wonderful citizens who welcome your visits and can only convey our apologies for callous, rude employees.
Hey Phillip, Thanks for commenting. You see, I’m from Garner, too. My parents still live in the house in they bought in 1981. That’s part of what makes it such a bummer. What if I had been a guest?
In any event, it seems that Ms. Shaw missed the point as well. However beautiful it is, its not just the product (the park itself). In fact, the product is secondary..Its the people that make a difference! Me and you and neighbors and families and visitors. To dismiss what might have been a poor experience for someone. To not consider to listen to a different point of view. To ignore an opportunity to be heard as someone who cares. That’s what really puts sand in my grits. Perhaps..just maybe..possibly..a slight chance .. that someone acted out of line and deserved to at least be acknowledged..nope! Further, I don’t understand why she would knowingly allow the remarks of one citizen to suffice? Seems like pretty poor judgment to me.
I trust it isn’t everyone, but this attitude does cast a pretty negative light. What’s more is that is these are people who work for the city.
and for whatever it is worth, I did a search for ‘garner parks + nc ‘ in Google and found…..3 instances on blogs that mentioned Garner Parks within the first 15 pages of results (1 of those was this article). There were probably 2 or 3 dozen more sites (yelp, citypages, etc.) that offered an opportunity to comment on pages with general and contact information. It looks as though I am the only person to have written an editorial (i did see press releases, etc.) about the parks, thus her remarks are blatantly false – “We would never get any work done if we responded to the multiple blog postings about our parks, which is why Town Employees do not post on blogs..”
Perhaps this group of employees is just being narrow minded or ignorant, but I do think it deserves to be addressed. Being from Garner, I would not want a visitor to judge me based on the actions of a few..
Aaron,
I know there are always two sides to each story but it seems you are easily offended. Just because someone is from walmart and talking with the park director does not mean they are any less important than you. I am constantly amazed at how rude and impatient people are with one another, especially in customer service fields. You stated that the director was addressing the employee from walmart when you began asking questions. Why should she have to stop and pay you special attention when they were already talking? Weither you are from garner or Raleigh you should have the patience to wait your turn like most individuals learn when they are children. Again, there is always two sides to the story but if you want to experience rude try visiting your local car dealership and then compare it to your experience at the park.
The sad thing is the park was designed to be peaceful and to help guest become closer with the natural world and you want to be wired into a computer or phone. Try leaving those items at home and see if you can enjoy your experience without them like you did as a child. If your so important that you can’t goto the park without it then do the rest of us a favor and go some where else where the rest of us can enjoy nature.
Thanks, Jason, for the comments. While it seems as though you miss the point as well, I’ll keep you thoughts in mind.