GATES COUNTY — I love Merchants Millpond State Park – great for hiking! I haven’t seen an alligator as yet, but I have seen many sunsets. And I think there’ve been some good high school cross country races on one of the trails out by those parts.
News Alert — Leadership changes are underway at Merchants Millpond State Park and Jockey’s Ridge State Park, with Ranger Steve Rogers to take a new role at the Outer Banks, and Jeffrey Turner to be acting Park Superintendent at Merchants Millpond.
Jockey’s Ridge State Park Superintendent Joy Cook, who retired on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Prior to joining Park in 2017, Cook was at Merchants Millpond.
Subscribe — it’s free!
Anyway, following her retirement, Rogers will transition from Merchants Millpond State Park to Jockey’s Ridge — to begin Feb. 3.
Rogers’ departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Merchants Millpond, where he has served in a leadership role and helped expand community engagement at the park.
Jonathan Jones, president of the Friends of Merchants Millpond State Park Group, said the news brought mixed emotions.
When reached for comment, Jones stated, “he was happy and sad about Rogers leaving. Steve has done a number of good things to promote Merchants Millpond since arriving in Gates County and we hate to see him go, but understand the move for his professional career.”
Jones highlighted Rogers’ role in launching one of the county’s most popular seasonal attractions.
“One big thing all Gates County citizens should remember Rogers for was what he did back in 2021,” Jones said. “The Gates County Community Events Group approached Steve about starting a Christmas lights show at the Millpond. Steve worked with them and the Friends Group to get this event going.”
The annual display has since become a signature community event.
“This event, known as Light Up Merchants Millpond, has now become a huge event each year in Gates County,” Jones said. “Thousands of visitors come through the drive thru event to see all the displays local groups set up.”
With Rogers’ departure, Turner will step into a leadership role.
“Jeffrey Turner will now be acting Park Superintendent,” Jones said. “Jeffrey has been at Merchants Millpond State Park almost 23 years and has seen a lot of progress and is excited for the future of Merchants Millpond.”
Supporters say Turner brings deep institutional knowledge to the position.
“Jeffrey knows everything there is to know about Merchants Millpond and we look forward to his leadership,” Jones said. “The entire staff at Merchants Millpond does a fantastic job and loves what they do and it shows.”
Looking ahead, park officials expect increased visitation as improvements are completed.
“With the newly renovated Family Campground being completed late spring/early summer, the Park will soon be filled with visitors,” Jones said.
As Rogers prepares to begin his new role at Jockey’s Ridge and Turner assumes leadership at Merchants Millpond, officials say both parks remain focused on serving visitors and strengthening community connections.
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
2 responses to “Merchants Millpond Sees Transition As Rogers Heads to Jockey’s Ridge, Turner Takes Lead”
Ranger Rogers has done a great job at Merchants Millpond State Park. Wishing him much success at his new position at Jockeys Ridge. Ranger Turner is an excellent choice to take command at Merchants Millpond. He is from this area and his family has for generations held a great appreciation for the wildlife and woodland treasures in and around Gates County where Merchants Millpond is located. I wish Ranger Rogers the best in his new assignment, and I hope Ranger Turner becomes the official superintendent of Merchants Millpond. His love and passion for this park will help take it to even higher levels of importance in the state park system.
I love the gem in our own backyard known as Merchants Millpond State Park and have no doubt it will continue to be even better in the future.
The ONLY gripe I would have is the widening of the trails that took place a couple of years ago. Apparently this was done to facilitate the movement of the oversized ATV’s used to maintain the park. UNFORTUNATELY, this widening greatly removes the feeling of “Hiking”and turns it into a stroll down a dirt road. A true hike gives a feeling of leaving behind the roads and civilization and replacing that with the tree cover overhead and a “Trail” to follow. Now the trees are cut back and the “Trail” is changed into a dirt “Road”. A return to narrow ATV’s and a return to “Trails” would be my preference.
None-the-less the park is an absolute gem and there are alligators (I’ve seen them) but you need to get in your kayak to see them. This may not be for everyone, but I have no doubt Mr. Layton will get his opportunity in the future 😉