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

Southeast, 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.

Southeast Florida is host to a variety of state parks that engage visitors in natural surroundings, recreation, culture and history, including the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, which was named one of Dr. Beach’s top ten best beaches for 2009. The Florida Keys are also home to many diverse state parks including John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first underwater park in the United States. For more information about state parks and activities in southeast Florida, visit the online park guide at www.FloridaStateParks.org.

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

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Saturday, July 4, 2009. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Barnacle Society will host an old-fashioned picnic on the grounds of this 19th century pioneer home site. The event features lawn games, kite-making and knot-tying demonstrations. Bring a blanket and a picnic lunch and enjoy the day’s celebration. Fees are $5.00 for individuals 12 years and older, $2.00 for ages six to 12 and children under six are free. For more information, call (305) 442-6866.

Country Music Concert
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Sunday, July 19, 2009. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Come to the park and listen to classic country music from Gene Cassady and old standards by Jack Jacobs. The concert is free with park admission of $5.00 per carload. For more information, call (561) 624-6952.

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.