Steven Davis, previously the Assistant Park Manager, has been promoted to Park Manager at Westmoreland State Park.
Davis grew up on a farm on the Eastern Shore and knew at a young age that he didn’t want an office job. He started his park service career as a Park Ranger at Northwest River Park in Chesapeake, VA. His manager at the time had previously worked for Virginia State Parks and encouraged to him to apply for a Chief Ranger positions at Westmoreland State Park.
“I started my park career on March 1, 1993 at Westmoreland State Park,” said Westmoreland State Park Manager Steven Davis. “At that time, there was only one Chief Ranger that supervised both the interpretive and maintenance programs. This experience was a good groundwork for my career as I learned a lot about what it takes to manage a park.”
In April of 2008, Davis applied for, and was promoted to, the Assistant Manager position at Belle Isle State Park. After serving there for 4 years and gaining a lot of office and managing experience, Davis transferred to Westmoreland as Assistant Manager in April of 2012. Davis was recently was promoted to Manager at Westmoreland and has some ideas he wants to implement at the park.
“The primary project I would like to implement is the exhibit area in the Visitor Center,” explained Davis. “Currently we are working on the CCC exhibit that will highlight the work of the CCC in the creation of Westmoreland as one of the 6 original parks. The final exhibit area will display the fossils that are found at Westmoreland. The focal point of this display will be a baleen whale skull that has been extracted from the cliffs. I also would like to do more joint programing with Stratford Hall and George Washington’s Birthplace, especially since they are our next-door neighbors. The partnership will allow for more stories to be told about the park and local area.”
Westmoreland State Park is undergoing many changes with its facilities and geography including the renovation of the B Campground and the improvement to the visitor experience. Construction at State Parks can take a while and all major projects are part of the park’s Master Plan.
“In my new role I am looking forward to being part of the planning process of the possible new waterpark as well as the 2024 Master Plan,” said Davis. “It will be beneficial to have a 50-amp service available to guests in our campsites as well as newly renovated bathrooms.”
Improving the visitor experience is important to the Westmoreland State Park staff and you can see their passion for education when you visit the park, especially for an event or special program. The staff work closely with the Friends of Westmoreland in order to have more events at the park.
“We have the 5k Gobble Wobble coming up on November 19 and this event is possible thanks to the sponsorship provided by the Friends of Westmoreland,” explained Davis. “The runner’s course wonders through the woods of Westmoreland and includes a jog along Rock Springs Pond. This is a family fun event and has many repeat runners each year.”
Davis enjoys working at the park and attributes a lot of the park’s success to his family as well as the park team. “I feel very humble to join the ranks of being Manager of Westmoreland State Park and would to thank my wife, Teresa, and my family for their support during my career,” Davis said. “We have an awesome staff here at the park and we are close like a family. I’m lucky that they take a lot of pride in their work and always make sure that guests have a great experience while they are visiting. This park has a lot to offer in many different ways and this team is always willing to go above and beyond for guests and each other. I am constantly amazed at the quality of the staff at Westmoreland.”
