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San Diego's 400 parks unveiled: From ducks with 'man buns' to ancient Kumeyaay plant knowledge

San Diego Park Rangers want to take you on a free guided tour in one of the city's 400 parks.

SAN DIEGO — If you're in the mood for nature and fresh air, San Diego Park Rangers want to take you on a guided tour. 

In this Zevey Zone, I took the park rangers up on their offer and went for a hike at Chollas Lake Park. 

When you live in a big city, sometimes it's nice to find a little bit of country. 

"You can really use all of your senses to listen for birds," said San Diego Park Ranger Carey Goldstein. 

For the past 20 years, Carey has served as a ranger in some of California's most beautiful parks. A decade ago, he started working for the City of San Diego. 

"As a matter of fact, I just got my pin this week," said Ranger Goldstein.  

Credit: San Diego Parks and Recreation

We met Ranger Goldstein at Chollas Lake Park, where he's always making friends and answering questions. 

"People always ask me about that duck," said Ranger Goldstein. "He has a little poof on the back of his head. They ask why he has a man bun. I am not sure why he has that." 

That may be the only question Ranger Goldstein can't answer. 

"What are the ducks' food around here?" asked 8-year-old Nico Marshall who was playing with his mom building a fort. 

"The ducks actually have a lot of food growing naturally in the lake," said Ranger Goldstein.

Credit: San Diego Parks and Recreation

From wildlife to plants and trees, Ranger Goldstein says this is San Diego's nature in all its glory. 

"I see a Greater Egret out on the pier," said Ranger Goldstein before commenting on the scene at Chollas Lake. 

"I would call it an urban jewel," added Ranger Goldstein. 

San Diego city parks have more than 200 miles of hiking trails. 

"Jessica and Laurel nice to meet you," said Ranger Goldstein. 

He met two hikers seeking refuge from city life. 

"Just having a tough day, so we went out to nature," said Jessica and Laurel.  

San Diego offers more than 400 parks and monthly guided tours. 

"This plant is in the cashew family," said Ranger Goldstein. "The Kumeyaay people called the Laurel Sumac the Woman's Plant. A tea is made from this used during childbirth to cause contractions to increase," said Ranger Goldstein. 

Nature's knowledge surrounds hikers and even hovers above them.

Credit: San Diego Parks and Recreation

Ranger Goldstein pointed out an old owl box. In a very short time, he surprised us with many things. 

"The Blue Heron," said Ranger Goldstein. 

As peaceful as it all was, time was running short. 

"So you got to see a turtle today," said Ranger Goldstein. 

The park closes just before or at sunset. Ranger Goldstein led us to his favorite perch where he's soaked in hundreds of scenic sunsets. "

This really sets me at peace," said Ranger Goldstein.

Credit: San Diego Parks and Recreation

"This is kind of what I needed today," said Laurel. 

That peace brought a tear to her eye, followed by what they needed most. 

"Ha, ha, ha," Laurel and Jessica let out a giant round of laughter.  

"Tomorrow is a new day. That's what a sunset is about," said Laurel.

San Diego Parks and Recreation oversees nearly 40,000 acres of developed and undeveloped open space. Admission is always free. For more information on a guided tour, click here.

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