Florida State Parks Repeat National Award
Florida State Parks met another unprecedented milestone
having won the National Recreation and Parks Gold Medal,
recognizing the agency as the “Nation’s
Best Park System” for a second time. Florida
is the only state park system to have achieved that
level of recognition.
Earlier this year, Florida State Parks also reached a national record of 1 million hours of donated volunteer hours. A major economic contributor, state parks generated more than $665 million in revenue in the last fiscal year, employing 13,000 rangers and management staff, and providing recreation outlets for over 17 million annual visitors.
“Winning the Gold Medal Award twice in the last five years is a remarkable accomplishment for Florida State Parks, and I applaud the park rangers and staff for making it possible,” said Gov. Jeb Bush. “By preserving natural Florida lands as recreational and educational opportunities for more than 17.3 million visitors each year, we are protecting wildlife habitat and offering more open spaces for families to enjoy.”
The Gold Medal honors the nation’s outstanding park and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of recreation management. The State Park Award, presented every other year, focuses on the achievements of state park systems and its programs providing recreational, educational and leisure services to its citizens.
The Florida Park Service, managed under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, was a finalist for the National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award in 1999, 2001 and 2005. Having won in 2001, this year was the first the agency could reapply for the honor.
“This designation is a reflection of the Governor
and Cabinet’s focus on preservation and protection
of Florida’s environment,” said Colleen
M. Castille, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Secretary. “The dedication of more than 1,000
park rangers and management staff is the foundation
of this prestigious award, and we could not have achieved
this without their support.
Florida’s state park system is one of the largest
in the country with 159 parks spanning more than 723,000
acres and 100 miles of beach. From swimming and diving
in Florida’s rivers and springs to birding and
fishing, or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails,
Florida’s state parks offer year-round outdoor
activities for all ages. Battle re-enactments and Native
American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique
history, while art shows, museums, and lighthouses
offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.
For more information on Florida State Parks visit online at www.floridastateparks.org.