Ed Walters is a long way from his home state.

And unlike many Leelanau residents, he didn't grow up in Michigan and didn't take family vacations here.

Ed Walters

The Mississippi native was in the Air Force once, however, and after being stationed in Duluth, Minn., he was reassigned to the Empire radar antenna station in 1963. He didn’t plan on staying long, but that was before he got to know Empire. He was taken by Leelanau’s scenic beauty, and never forgot it even after being stationed at a different base.

When he completed his tour in the service, he moved back to Leelanau County, bought a home in Maple City and started a family. Many family members still live in the area, including his daughter and granddaughter.

In 1977, Walters got a job with the National Park Service, and at 72, he’s still going strong at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

“I enjoy this work, and it’s a good, well-paying job,” said Walters, who has been doing custodial maintenance at the Lakeshore for over 30 seasons. He helps keep the park clean so that the estimated 1 million visitors a year can enjoy their stay.

All that cleaning doesn’t bother him, he said. because, he’s providing a fun and educational experience for visitors.

“I think seeing people enjoying themselves at the Dune Climb is great. I think people love that big pile of sand,” said Walters.

He’s seen many a youngster run down the dune, with arms spread and feet flying.

He’s also been there when things weren’t so good.

“A while back, I was involved in a rescue,” said Walters, “A group of kids from Innisfree were camping up on the dunes and running down. There was a landslide and a kid buried himself,” Walters remembers. “We dug him out, and he was still alive.”

Walters recalls being on hand for the rescue with 10 or 15 other park employees who helped come to the aid of the boy, who was from Lake Ann. He recalls being very proud that day, much like he is today, of the rescue effort and his role at the park.

His favorite spot in the Lakeshore is Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.

“It’s really pretty up there, and there are so many great views,” said Walters. “I’ve also got a patch up there, the grapes will be ripe soon,” he added, though he wasn’t ready to reveal the location of his secret spot.

He enjoys seeing efforts to preserve the land have made a positive impact.

“Recreation is important, a place for people to spend leisure time. Cutting down on construction and no development of public land is important, too,” he said.

“It’s just such a beautiful place to live,” he said.

Walters considers it a privilege to work hard to keep it that way.

(Webmaster's note: This story originally ran in the June 21, 2007 Enterprise.)