MARK SCHUMANN

Hiking to a remote campsite in Lake Kissimmee State Park late yesterday afternoon, I received one of those gifts of nature that seem to come my way every time I retreat to the woods. A deer crossed the trail just thirty yards in front of me.

The buck, about two years old, stopped for a long moment to look me over, probably assessing my intentions. He then returned to grazing, paying me no attention as I slipped my camera out of its case. The deer was so occupied with eating his dinner that I had to call out just to get him to look up at me.  After a few minutes I had all the images I needed, so, with the sun seemingly impatient to turn in for the night, I hurried along, arriving at the campsite with just enough light left to pitch my tent.

I assume the deer did not feel threatened by me because he lives in a state park, where he is protected.  Lake Kissimmee State Park is his sanctuary.  For at least one night, it was my sanctuary, too.

As I laid down to go to sleep under the light of a near full moon, I thought of all the men and women who have worked over many decades to set aside land for wildlife refuges and thousands of state and national parks across the country.  Their persistence and wise stewardship will be a blessing to future generations, just as it is a gift to us now.

Parks in cities and urban areas are sanctuaries for people, places to enjoy green space and fresh air. Not everyone lives in a home along the ocean or the lagoon or on acreage west of town.  It is important that we preserve public parks, which is why I applaud Ken Daige and others for working with the City Council to consider which public lands should be proposed for protection in the City Charter.