My Park Story: Janell Bissonnette

Ranger Janell Bissonnette with her two children.

Janelle Bissonnette

At Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites, located in Hyde Park, NY we tell very different stories at each of our sites; from The Gilded Age, to the only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady, to the only four-term President of the United States. Much like our sites, our staff have very diverse paths that led them to their work. Join us as we highlight #MyParkStory and #OurParkStory.

Meet Janell Bissonnette, an NPS Law Enforcement Ranger who brings her own unique perspective and experience that have helped her fulfill the mission of the National Park Service.


1. Where are you from?
I was blessed to grow up in a military family as a Navy brat and spent much of my life moving from one location to another. While I originate from Hawaii, much of my youth was spent in Boone, NC after my father retired.

2. What interested you in the National Park Service?
After graduating from college, I accepted a seasonal management position in Glacier National Park with a concessioner and loved every minute of it! I knew the National Park Service was where I belonged after a summer of outdoor adventures and seeing the Aurora Borealis.

3. Do you remember the first park you visited?
Blue Ridge Parkway. My high school cross country team would train and have meets around Bass Lake in Blowing Rock, NC and my family often hiked at Julian Price Park (milepost 297) on weekends.

4. What is your background? College? Study?
I have degrees in Health Promotion and Business Administration with a minor in psychology. Funny enough, I started as an art major which evolved into degrees in a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

5. What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of the job is the interaction with the visitor. While my job description means I don’t always deal with the best side of people, the good outweighs the bad. I enjoy hearing where people are from and what brought them to the park, giving small children the chance to inspect a patrol car from the front seat, chatting with local walkers and conversing with our local police and fire departments, schools and church officials, and small business owners. We are fortunate to have a park in a small community with a big impact.

6. Any favorite memories of the job?
My favorite memories of the job are wildland fire incidents. They are a great opportunity to travel and network with other federal and local agencies while providing necessary emergency support to an incident. I’ve served both as a wildland firefighter and security. Having stood on ridgelines with amazing views, provided security for fatal aircraft crashes, driven on roadways surrounded by fire, watched wild horses be castrated, and coming face-to-face with bison at road closures has been quite the adventure.

7. Do you have any hobbies outside of the NPS?
Outside the NPS, you will find me hiking, traveling, and spending time with my family. I love hiking challenges and am currently working on the Catskills 3500 with plans to complete the Cranberry Lake 50 later this year. I travel as much as the budget allows and shuttling my kids to various events and activities is a second job I wouldn’t trade for anything.