Virginia State Parks have been working hard to find new and creative ways to attract visitors and their furry friends. The B.A.R.K. Ranger program is a self-guided activity that encourages visitors to safely explore parks while protecting the natural environment. Dogs and their owners pledge to follow four different principles while enjoying the park: Bag your pet’s waste, Always use a leash, Respect wildlife and Know where you can go. The program is a fun, educational experience that encourages visitors to take an active role in preserving the park’s beauty and ecological health, while enjoying the companionship of their dogs! Virginia State Parks that offer a B.A.R.K. Ranger program usually provide a brochure explaining the activities throughout the park that dogs can participate in safely. Once the visitors complete the activities, they can be rewarded for good stewardship and responsible recreation with a variety of collectibles such as bandanas, ID cards, certificates of completion and/or dog tags. Collectible dog items vary by park location and availability. The B.A.R.K. Ranger program is currently offered at the following Virginia State Parks: Machicomoco, First Landing, Twin Lakes, Natural Tunnel, Grayson Highlands, New River Trail, Natural Bridge, Occoneechee, and Sky Meadows State Park.

The B.A.R.K. Ranger Program at Machicomoco State Park

Machicomoco State Park initiated the B.A.R.K. Ranger program in July of 2024 to invite owners and their dogs to enjoy nature in a way that is beneficial to both visitors and wildlife. Machicomoco has natural and paved trails that provide ample opportunity for exercise and wildlife viewing in forested and coastline habitats. These trails are appealing to both furry companions and their owners. Many dog owners enjoy walking Moccasin Trail, the 3.1-mile paved loop that encircles the park. The Interpretive Area that highlights Indigenous history and culture is also frequently visited by dogs and their owners. A popular wooded trail for dog owners includes the 2.4-mile Loblolly Trail (4.8 miles out and back).

Park staff have observed that some dog owners are tempted to allow their dogs to roam off leash. Allowing dogs to roam off leash can lead to a dangerous situation if an encounter should occur with wildlife. Dogs who are allowed to roam off leash and off the trails can disrupt the habitats of many animals that live within the park including the Northern Diamondback Terrapin and the Bobwhite Quail. Both species require careful monitoring and protection due to population decline and habitat loss. To better address the issue of dog owners being tempted to allow their pets to roam off leash, park staff introduced a pilot volunteer program called the B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador. B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassadors are model dogs (along with their owner) who volunteer regularly within the park to walk the trails, contact visitors and their furry friends, and encourage them to follow B.A.R.K. principles.

Percy: The First B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador for Machicomoco State Park

The first B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador of Machicomoco is Percy, a three-year-old huskydoodle. Percy has been enjoying the park with his parents, Kammie Lee and Ken Dunn, since he was three months old. Percy’s favorite activities in the park are walking the new Songbird Trail with his furry girlfriend Maya and greeting both furry and human park visitors. Percy also attends all Friends of Machicomoco events, where he enjoys the attention and love from all members. Percy’s job while working in the park as a B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador is to calmly greet visitors and their dogs while enjoying the park’s interpretive area and trails. Percy performs these duties while demonstrating the B.A.R.K. principles. While walking on designated trails, he always stays on a 6-foot leash, respects the wildlife, and waits patiently while his parents bag his waste. Percy’s parents, who are Virginia State Park volunteers and Friends of Machicomoco members, greet visitors, encourage them to follow the B.A.R.K. principles, distribute B.A.R.K. Ranger and Junior Ranger brochures, and provide information about the park. By using Percy as a model of pet-responsible ownership, in conjunction with the promotion of the B.A.R.K. Ranger program, park staff are hoping that the frequency of off-leash activity throughout the park will decrease. For Kammie and Ken, the B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador program is the perfect opportunity to include pet and park centered volunteer work.

“We love spending time in the park to greet guests and explore nature. Percy has been a part of our park activities since he was a puppy. He knows all the park staff and many volunteers. He has tent camped in the park and loves to go on nature walks. It’s only a natural fit for him to work in the park as the B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador while doing what he loves to do: be outside adventuring. We are committed to environmental stewardship so that Machicomoco remains a pet-friendly and sustainable park for everyone to enjoy,” said Kammie and Ken.

In the future, the park hopes to grow the B.A.R.K. Ranger Ambassador program to include other park volunteers and their dogs who want to engage in respectful recreation while protecting wildlife. Ranger Joel Neville believes the B.A.R.K. Ranger program is an excellent addition to the park’s self-guided activities.

“The B.A.R.K. principles promote responsible pet recreation in Virginia’s State Parks and despite the name, apply to any pet’s outdoor recreation. We have seen cats, birds and ferrets all recreating at Machicomoco while following the B.A.R.K. principles. Animals love to be outdoors, but owner responsibility is important to keep everyone safe,” shared Neville. “Machicomoco’s new ambassador, Percy, will ensure the safety of pets, people and wildlife.”

Learn more about pets in parks.