BUSHKILL, Pennsylvania — After one last round of lights and sirens, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area’s Chief Ranger Eric Lisnik will be parking his patrol vehicle for the last time on Dec. 15 as he prepares for his retirement later in the month. Lisnik will retire on Dec. 31 after a lifelong career working in parks.
Born, raised, and forever-more a “Mainer,” Lisnik began his career in 1991 as a lifeguard at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle where he worked for five seasons. Aroostook State Park is Maine’s first state park, established in 1939.
While attending the University of Maine at Presque Isle a childhood friend, Mike Beaulieu, talked him into attending the Seasonal Ranger Academy. Tragically Beaulieu was killed in a motor vehicle crash in August of 1996 while responding to a wildland fire call at Bryce Canyon National Park. According to Lisnik, “I knew after Mike died that I needed to take advantage of the opportunity that he had presented to me.” And he did just that.
Lisnik began his 25-year career with the NPS in 1997 as a seasonal law enforcement officer/park ranger at Mesa Verde National Park. He recalls that he voluntarily ended his first seasonal position early because his name was drawn for the elusive and hard-to-get Maine moose permit. After packing his bags and turning in his gear, he traveled back to Maine and successfully harvested a moose with his best friend Chris Jackson, with no regrets.
He found his niche in National Park Service law enforcement the following year when he went to Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Lisnik worked at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area from 1998 to 2002 and graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in June of 2002. He worked solely in national recreation areas for the remainder of his career.
Next, he transferred to Lake Mead National Recreation Area where he served in a variety of roles including field ranger, field training ranger, shift supervisor, and district ranger. In 2009, Lisnik transferred to Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area as the park’s chief ranger after completing a temporary assignment in that role.
During his NPS career he has held certifications as an EMT, Structural Fire Fighter, Wildland Fire Fighter, Search and Rescue/High-angle Rescue Technician, and NPS driving instructor. He also served three years on the Pacific West Region Special Events and Tactical Team.
All these accomplishments pale in comparison, however, to Lisnik’s most important life goals. He states that “while I have had an amazing career with the NPS, I am most proud of my two beautiful daughters Isabella (15) and Megan (14). Being the best Dad I could possibly be far outweighed my drive to be anything else.” He also extends his gratitude and appreciation to his wife, Hillary, “for always being there for me throughout the years. I chose a difficult profession and having that consistent support at home was integral to my success.”
After a 2-week vacation with his family to a tropical island to ease into retirement, Lisnik is looking forward to planning and taking a cross-country road trip in 2023 with his daughters, visiting NPS sites and friends along the way.
Lisnik and his family plan to remain in the Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania area until his daughters are off to college. “At that point,” he says, “we’ll see what happens.”
For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area call 570-426-2452, visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa, or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS and Instagram at www.Instagram.com/DelWaterGapNPS.
