Northeast Florida, Celebrate Park and Recreation Month With Family, Friends and Fun

Northeast, 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.

Northeast Florida is host to a variety of state parks that engage visitors in natural surroundings, recreation, culture and history. Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville, and Amelia Island State Park, located off the coast of Jacksonville, boast pristine beaches and opportunities for water sports; and Amelia Island State Park is the only state park that offers horseback riding on the beach. Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine Florida, another beach park, offers camping, nature trails, four miles of pristine beach, water sports and an archaeological site. For more information on state parks and activities in northeast Florida, visit the online park guide at www.FloridaStateParks.org.

Special events for Park and Recreation Month in northeast Florida include:

Americana Santa Workshop
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Monday, July 6, 2009. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park will host a Vintage Americana Santa Workshop taught by folk artist, Janet Moses. Participants will learn to craft a vintage Santa that stands approximately 30” tall from recycled and reclaimed items. Fees are $35.00 per workshop, including park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-1920.

Colonial Cooking Demonstration
Fort Mose Historical State Park
Saturday, July 11, 2009. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Led by a park volunteer, this program will take place in the Chosa (hut) in back of the visitor center. Regular park admission fee of $4.00 applies. For more information, call (904) 823-2232.

Guided Bird Walk
Fort Mose Historical State Park
Sunday, July 12, 2009. 8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Join an experienced birder on a guided walk along the boardwalk and grounds at Fort Mose Historic State Park. Enthusiasts will find a variety of herons, egrets, wood storks, hawks, and owls. Binoculars and a field guide are suggested. Regular park admission fee of $4.00 applies. For more information, call (904) 823-2232.

Americana Santa Window Painting Workshop
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Monday, July 13, 2009. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Taught by folk artist, Janet Moses, participants will learn how to transform an old cast-off window into a hand-painted work of art. Fees are $35.00 per workshop, including park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-1920.

Liberty Angel Workshop
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Monday, July 20, 2009. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Taught by folk artist, Janet Moses, participants will learn how to craft a handmade angel using recycled and reclaimed items, including grapevines, vintage lace and home spun quilt pieces. Fees are $35.00 per workshop, including park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-1920.

Summer Herb Workshop
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Saturday, July 25, 2009. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Taught by Barbara Barker, participants will learn how to grow and cook with warm weather herbs, and how to make herb salts from marinades. Fees are $5.00 per workshop, including park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-1920.

Picture Perfect Garden Window Painting Workshop
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
Monday, July 27, 2009. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Taught by folk artist, Janet Moses, participants will learn to how to transform an old cast-off window into a hand-painted garden. Fees are $35.00 per workshop, including park admission. For more information, call (386) 397-1920.

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.