When Sharon Woods was established in 1932 as the first park of the Hamilton County Park District, one individual was employed to handle the maintenance, safety and service duties. Later, department heads were deputized by the Hamilton County Sheriff who authorized them to handle the preservation of the parks in addition to handling their other full-time duties. As park officers, their main function was to make sure all park buildings were secure.
In 1932, the first night policeman was hired and deputized by Hamilton County Sheriff Asa Butterfield. In October of 1932, a second night policeman was hired. These two police officers were issued leather jackets and .38-caliber pistols.
In 1933, hats, badges and shirts were issued.
In 1936, the park district had a police captain for their park policemen. Pickup trucks were used as both police cruisers and for general park maintenance.
In 1938, the first ranger patrol boat was purchased.
In 1940, Ohio State Examiners approved purchase of the first complete uniforms for the park police.
In 1945, the Hamilton County Park District Commissioners established the Hamilton County Park District Ranger Department.
In 1952, radios were purchased and the Hamilton County Park District became the first park district in Ohio to initiate 24-hour patrol.
The Great Parks Ranger Department has had nine chiefs since formalizing the ranger department into an independent law enforcement agency in 1973:
Ross Lowe, 1973–1977
Bob Mason, 1977–1978
Clell Ballew, 1978–1983
Rick Greer, 1983–2005
Steve Newsom, 2005–2012
Ed Butler, 2012–2012
Thomas Doyle, 2013–2017
Rick Spreckelmeier, 2017–2020
Scott Snow, 2020–present
In 2013, Hamilton County Park District changed its name to Great Parks of Hamilton County. Today, the Great Parks Ranger Department employs more than 35 rangers who patrol park property by means of cruiser, foot, bike, boat and ATV.