By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications Officer
Blake Nightingale spent a lot of time working on his grandparents’ hazelnut farm near Brownsville.
It’s where he cultivated a love of working outdoors, so the job as the park ranger for the Quartzville Corridor area suits him fine.
“I like farming and someday, maybe in 10 or 20 years, I might do some farming, but for right now, I really like what I do,” Nightingale said.
Nightingale played football, basketball and track at Central Linn High School and attended Linn-Benton Community College.
“I started working for the parks department while at LBCC in the summers,” Nightingale said. “I knew I wanted to do something outside.”
After LBCC, he studied anthropological archaeology at the University of Oregon, graduating in 2017.
He started working full-time for the parks department and spent four years at Sunnyside Park.
“I love my job. It’s nice working outside and I like the diversity of people we meet every single day,” Nightingale said.
Nightingale said he’s getting to meet a new group of families now that he’s working the Quartzville Corridor and Whitcomb Creek Park.
“I have a lot of dispersed campsites,” Nightingale said. “There’s a different atmosphere at Whitcomb Creek than other parks. It’s definitely laid back.”
He also has to plan his day more accurately, since his work area spans several miles.
“I can’t be running back and forth to the shop to get stuff,” Nightingale said. “I need to make sure I have a variety of materials with me at all times.”
Nightingale said he likes that he can use his college training as a member of the county’s interpretive committee and working with programs like the Native American encampments each summer and the new Junior Ranger program.
“I really would like to see our parks be as user friendly as possible,” Nightingale said. “That includes making sure all kids, including those with disabilities, can use our playgrounds.”
Nightingale said this summer has been challenging since it’s been difficult to find temporary staff.
“It’s August and there are still openings,” Nightingale said.