Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Park Ranger Jessica King was honored with the “Unsung Hero” award at the Trails and Open Space Coalition Trailbration event Nov. 14 in Colorado Springs.
The award, presented by coalition Executive Director Glenn Carlson, honors her time in the field making sure the trails stay maintained.
Originally from Golden, King came to Salida at the end of 2023 when the opportunity came up as part of her training class at the CPW training academy in Denver. “I love this area,” she said. “The mountain areas and trails are quite literally world class.”
King co-manages the Upper Arkansas Motorized Trail Crew, helping them procure equipment, hiring and paying them. Supervising them is probably her favorite part of her job, she said. In the past she has also been the co-land manager for the AHRA paid campground and day use areas.
She also helps with motorcycle safety training in an official capacity. In her free time, she recently competed in her first enduro dirt bike race.
Of her job, King said she likes having the opportunity to reach different kinds of people with AHRA’s education program and her skills out in the field. Her job is extremely varied on a day-to-day basis, she said. “I never know what I’m getting into.”
“When I think about what my role is, it’s definitely to provide a safe and educational and meaningful experience,” King said. “Looking back, I think I was selected because I’m a person that will put my head down and work until the job is done.”
King said she thanks the staff at AHRA for nominating her and the supervisory staff. “Without the support of those people, I wouldn’t be able to carry out the work that was done,” she said.
