Celebrate Father's Day with Florida State Parks

HOMOSASSA – In honor of Father’s Day, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is offering free admission to fathers with the purchase of a child’s ticket at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park or Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Sunday, June 21.

“As we honored mothers across Florida last month, we are pleased to invite dads and their families to state parks for this important day,” said DEP’s Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “Homosassa and Weeki Wachee state parks provide a unique atmosphere for families to reconnect and honor dads across Florida.”

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, in Homosassa, showcases native Florida animals along the park’s “Wildlife Walk,” including West Indian manatees, a Florida Panther, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and a variety of birds and reptiles. Lu, Florida’s only resident hippopotamus, also resides at the park. Visitors can also enjoy nature trails, picnicking and boat tours. Admission to Homosassa Springs for children ages three to 12 is $5.00, and adult ticket is $9.00.

Florida’s newest state park, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, in Spring Hill, features the world-famous mermaids that have delighted visitors since 1947. Weeki Wachee is also home to Florida’s only spring-fed water park, Buccaneer Bay, and is open each weekend during the month of May. Visitors can witness the magic of the mermaids, take a river boat cruise and canoe or kayak on the Weeki Wachee River. Admission to Weeki Wachee Springs for children ages six to 10 is $18.05 to enjoy the entire park and an adult ticket is $26.57.

Free admission is available for fathers with the purchase of a child’s ticket at one of the above parks. This discount is only valid on Sunday, June 21, 2009.

The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 160 parks, which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres and include 100 miles of sandy white beach, provide an affordable outing for people of all ages. Caladesi Island State Park, just off the coast of Pinellas County, was honored with the coveted Best Beach in the Nation award in 2008.

For more information about Florida State Parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.