Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer
(Photo by Deb Malewski – Ranger Raven’s signature “and here we have…a bench!”)
Many in Eaton Rapids know her as Raven Rawson, Program Coordinator for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. But to her growing audience on YouTube and Facebook, she is “Ranger Raven, the Island City Explorer.”
In her videos, Ranger Raven takes viewers on tours of Eaton Rapids’ 60 acres of green space, pointing out locations, unique features, and history with a touch of humor and charm along the way. The series is filmed by Jacob Forquer, the city’s new Community and Economic Development Specialist. Rawson wears a green felt “ranger” hat, a polo shirt with the city logo, khaki shorts, and boots in her role as Ranger Raven.
“I love that we are showcasing our parks and giving a bit of history on them,” Mayor Pam Colestock said. “I think Ranger Raven is engaging and will spark an interest in our residents to visit and enjoy our city parks!”
The idea originally came from a community member’s request to know more about the parks, but the concept was developed by the team of Rawson, Forquer, and Corey Cagle, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Events. Rawson had previously worked as a park attendant, where her friends nicknamed her “Ranger Raven.” The name stuck and it seemed to fit Eaton Rapids perfectly.
“We got excited thinking of ideas to make people want to watch,” Rawson said.
She does not work from a script. “I just like to highlight what makes each park special, from its history to why it was named, and even to remind folks not to litter.” That casual approach allows most episodes to be filmed in a single take with little editing.
“We like to project that small-town feeling and keep things mostly unedited, which gives it a bit of an old-fashioned feel,” Rawson explained. “We want it to be calming, too, not all up in your face.”
Forquer adds, “Ranger Raven’s mission is to promote the Eaton Rapids City Parks Department and serve as the city’s advocate for the outdoors. The hope is that Ranger Raven inspires people to explore Eaton Rapids city parks in a new, fresh way.” Forquer has mapped out a storyline for the next 18 months of videos, and the city will be launching a Junior Ranger program for next summer’s Eaton Rapids summer camp.
The project has also been a learning experience for Rawson. “I am not used to being on camera,” she admitted. “Sometimes my brain freezes.” Still, her willingness to step outside her comfort zone has created something that resonates with the community.
Ranger Raven’s gentle, upbeat style has quickly made her a fan favorite. Her soft-spoken, positive delivery has captured an audience. Each episode wraps up with her trademark two-finger salute and, of course, her playful “bench presentation” at every stop: “And here we have… a bench!”
The seven videos currently available range from 46 seconds (Hyatt Street Park) to over 5 minutes (Mill Pointe Park).
Want to join the adventure? Be sure to like and subscribe to Ranger Raven on YouTube. https://tinyurl.com/rangeraven. For more information about Ranger Raven or the city of Eaton Rapids, contact City Hall at 517-663-8118.
