Meet the Park Rangers

I have been serving here at Croft State Park since September of 2007. I started my career with the South Carolina State Park Service in 1998 at Poinsett State Park in Wedgefield, S.C. as a Park Ranger I.

I left Poinsett State Park in 2002 and headed to Barnwell State Park in Blackville, S.C. as a Park Ranger II.

After a couple of years, I went from Barnwell State Park to Santee State Park in Santee, S.C. as a Senior Ranger.

I left Santee State Park in 2005 to become the Park Manager of Lake Warren State Park in Hampton, S.C. I served as Park Manager at Lake Warren for one year.

Then I moved completely across the state to Croft State Park here in beautiful Spartanburg County.

I grew up in Lugoff, S.C. and attended Central Carolina in Sumter, S.C. where I received a degree in Natural Resources Management. As young boy, I spent most of my time on the shores of Lake Wateree State Park. Here my family and I would spend many summer nights camping. We also spent a great deal of time together camping in the mountains of Western North Carolina. These experiences created by my parents lead me to my career path and gave me the desire to protect some of our states most precious resources.

I am proud to say that I have a wonderful wife and we have three beautiful children. My family and I are so blessed to have the opportunity to live in such a wonderful place. God has blessed me with the greatest job in the world and I am proud to serve the citizens of South Carolina

CROFT STATE PARK RANGER

RICHARD (WOODY) GOODWIN

I have been serving here at Croft State Park since September of 1999. Ever since I was a small boy I have enjoyed the outdoors. While growing up, my parents took my brother and I on many outdoor adventures from the mountains to the beach and several places in-between. I can remember visiting SC State Parks such as Lake Greenwood, Bakers Creek, and Hunting Island over the years. In college, I spent more time than I should have in the outdoors, but earned a degree in Parks and Recreation Management at Appalachian State University in Boone NC. After graduating, before I began in search of a career job I hiked the Applachian Trail. Six months later for a short period, I began work on a farm and then got an Assistant Park Ranger job at Devil’s Fork State Park in the spring of 1996. I worked there through the summer enjoying Lake Jocassee and then got a job in the opposite direction at Huntington Beach State Park. The beach was busy and fishing in my time-off was fun, but a job came open at Caesar’s Head State Park and I got promoted to what seemed like the top of the world compared to the low country. Caesar’s Head consisted of around 60 miles of hiking trails, and after a year of the mountains I came to Croft State Park. My family and I have enjoyed the time here at Croft and being stationed at a unique large natural recreation area. I am very thankful for the opportunity to be able to work, serve, and live in such a great environment!

CROFT STATE PARK RANGER

RICK DIXON

My name is Rick Dixon and I have been a Park Ranger at Croft State Park in Spartanburg, S.C. for a little more than 4 years.

I have been a lifelong outdoor enthusiast and sportsman and have always been very much involved with history, conservation, and environmental studies. I enjoy interacting with people at the park as well as being a good steward of the natural resources here.

I have a son and a daughter which are both now in college and I enjoy spending time with them. I also have a 9 month old beagle named Maggie Mae who comes to work with me almost every day.

I have worked with the state of South Carolina for 22 years since graduating from Clemson University and I have experience as a manager, a teacher, and working with people with disabilities.