SPARTANBURG (WSPA) – South Carolina’s state parks will be filling up this month with the arrival of fall.
Croft State Park Senior Ranger, Woody Goodwin, is ready for you to arrive.
“I went to school and wanted a job outdoors because I’m not much of an office guy,” Goodwin said. “I can see God’s creation every day, so it’s been a blessing.”
Goodwin hiked the Appalachian Trail for nearly six months after finishing college and it wasn’t too long before he joined South Carolina State Parks.
“I personally believe it was a calling. I can look back and see where God has provided the means of me and directed me towards this job.”
He was assigned to Croft State Park south of Spartanburg in 1999. He’s never left.
“Croft has history scattered through 7,000 acres. It has trails and a lake that lots of people use,” Goodwin told 7NEWS.
Croft State Park provides maps for hikers to use when they want to explore the trails. They are color-coded to show landmarks, lengths and difficulty.
There’s an online version of the map that you can access by clicking here.
Goodwin has seen a lot at Croft State Park over his 25 years and counting here. Some things have happened more than once.
“I’ve seen kids grow up here, and then they bring their family back here. It’s a neat place to come and just get away from the busy and craziness of everyday life.”
