Things are looking up at Fort Zachary Historic State Park, now that its towering new 6-foot-5 park manager has taken over the helm.
Mark L. Knapke, 41, brings to the Key West-based location most recently a five-year stint as resident assistant park manager at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo and at least 23 years overall in various park systems; 11 of which included duties as a park law enforcement officer.
His initial goals for "Fort Zack" will be to give some impetus to efforts toward the preservation and restoration of the fort and its artifacts. Knapke's appreciation for historic locales can be traced back to when he gave tours at an historic lighthouse from the early 1800s while at Cape Florida.
"And at Pennekamp, we had some historic wrecks for divers, as well as several archaeological sites on shore," he says. "I would also like to continue efforts at resource management," Knapke said.
The ex-EMT and fire-fighter is a no-nonsense-type of leader, who is expected to bring greater stability to one of the more popular parks in Florida. An Ohio native, he jokingly blames his time in Tennessee for his friendly "aw-shucks" demeanor and slight "down-home" accent.
He said he wants to emphasize the team approach with the rangers, seasonal aides and volunteers and hopes to get the word out to all facets of the Lower Keys community that the park will be there for them. "I plan to work with community groups and organizations and the City of Key West to help boost local community events," he said.
"That will also include nurturing our longtime good relationship with our neighbors, the Navy." In fact, this week, park and Navy personnel are expected to join in a special effort to clean up each other's adjoining properties.
The new park manager has arrived during a time of much change at the 87-acre park, including the addition of tons of sugar-white sand and an expanded concession and patio area.
"Earlier, we had a large beach renourishment effort to bring in more sand, which received a lot of praise from our visitors," he said. "And the installation of new groins and rock jetties are expected to further offset the effects of occasional beach erosion." Fort Zachary is continuing to monitor its periodic beach erosion. But Knapke said his long-range plans for the park include the planting of sea oats. "The beach grade is so steep, I see a need for installing sand fencing to hold on to what we've got."
The new park manager brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the job, including besides Pennekamp, three years as an assistant park manager at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, FL. And besides Florida, he has also worked in some very large, unique and complex parks in the states of Ohio and Tennessee since the early 1980s.
Knapke seems tailor-made for the Key West area, with hobbies that include SCUBA diving, fishing and boating. "I also like to go lobstering, spearfishing, camping and socializing," he says. He's a certified advanced rescue diver, as well.
But his appreciation for the local environment does not end at how best to use the resources. "Protection and preservation of the resources are also important," he said. "At some parks where I've worked, we had beaches which attracted hundreds of turtles to lay their eggs. We not only had to protect the eggs from natural predators, such as raccoons, but from some local residents who would sell the eggs to restaurants."
As a former charter-boat captain and advanced taxidermist, he never lacked for work. "Heck, if you catch a wall-hanger, you want it on your wall," he says matter-of-factly. His taxidermy, which also included deer heads, small game and birds, as well as fish, received recognition for its artistry.
For now, the new manager sees nothing but blue skies ahead for Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park. Besides receiving tours of the 156-year-old fort, visitors can swim, snorkel and sunbathe in the Atlantic Ocean.
Fishing in the 33-feet deep main shipping channel along the west side of the rock jetty can also provide anglers with a steady diet of pan-sized catches. The one-stop shopper could even take his freshly caught mutton snapper and place it on a grill at any number of the park's shaded picnic areas with tables.
And for the convenience of the public, there's also an assortment of passes for sale. Park administrator Pat Hockenjos wants to remind the public, especially locals, that "our passes make great gifts and a great savings."