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Northwest, Fla. – Governor Charlie Crist recently signed a
proclamation recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month. To celebrate, the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service encourages Florida’s
citizens, families and friends to experience outdoor recreation at a Florida state park
in July.
“Florida’s state parks provide an endless opportunity for family and friends to enjoy
the great outdoors and all of its benefits,” said Florida Park Service Director Mike
Bullock. “During Park and Recreation Month, we encourage residents and visitors to
experience the treasures of state parks in their backyard.”
Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association has designated July as Park
and Recreation Month. This year, the Florida Park Service continues its Family. Friends.
Fun. campaign which aims to reconnect children and families with nature by engaging them
in outdoor activity.
Northwest Florida is host to a variety of state parks that engage visitors in natural
surroundings, recreation, culture and history. Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola offers
opportunities for camping and water sports, and crabbing in Big Lagoon is a popular
activity as well. Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna is the only state park in
Florida providing cave tours to the public, and Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee
is the first to offer MP3 audio guided tours of the park. For more information about
state parks and activities in northwest Florida, visit the online park guide at
www.FloridaStateParks.org.
Special events for Park and Recreation Month in northwest Florida include:
Living Treasures of the Gulf
Henderson Beach State Park
Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10, 2009.
This adventure under the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico will feature the wide
variety of species that live in the gulf, ranging from dolphins and jellyfish, to sea
turtles and include various educational programs, talks and a puppet show. Program topics
vary throughout the week, for a copy of the schedule of events and more information, call
(850) 837-7550.
Early Boat Tour
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Saturday, July 11, 2009. 8:00 a.m.
Participants will enjoy the early morning sights and sounds along the scenic Wakulla
River. Breakfast is available in the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge. Tickets are $8.00
for adults and $6.00 for children. To make reservations or for more information, call
(850) 926-0700.
Let’s Sign in the Sunshine
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park
Saturday, July 18, 2009. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St. George Island State Park and Ability 1st, the Center for Independent Living in North
Florida, Inc., will host a deaf awareness event entitled, “Let’s Sign in the Sunshine.”
This will be a family friendly event in the sun. The price of admission to the park and
event will be waived with a flier from Ability 1st. For more information, call (850)
927-2111.
To view the Governor’s Park and Recreation Month proclamation, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2009/06/files/parks_rec_month.pdf.
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, most of
which are open 365 days a year. Florida’s state parks, which span more than 700,000 acres
and include more than 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. To learn more about
Florida’s state parks, visit
www.floridastateparks.org.
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2010 State of Florida