FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 3, 2013
FLORIDA PARK
SERVICE RECOGNIZES OCTOBER AS GREENWAYS AND TRAILS MONTH
~From hiking to paddling, horseback riding to bicycling,
Florida’s state trails provide excellent fall outdoor recreation opportunities~
The Wakulla Station
arbor over the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail.
Photo by Doug Alderson
TALLAHASSEE –Governor Rick Scott proclaimed the month of October as Florida Greenways and Trails Month,
celebrating the
important benefits of greenways and trails and how they help to advance Florida’s economy,
tourism, health, transportation, recreation, conservation and quality of life. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s
Florida Park Service, Office of Greenways & Trails welcomes this annual
occasion to recognize the more than 600 miles of greenways and trails
in Florida.
“This October, I encourage all
Floridians to spend quality time outdoors with your family and friends on one
of Florida’s beautiful greenways and trails,” said Florida Park Service
Director Donald Forgione. “Whether you like to hike, bike, paddle or ride a
horse, our state trails offer extraordinary places to enjoy Florida’s environment.”
Florida
has formally designated approximately 1 million acres of greenways and trails
for recreation, conservation and alternative transportation, and Florida
residents and visitors have access to nearly 4,000 miles of water trails and over 8,000 miles of land-based trails, including the Florida National Scenic Trail and 32 National Recreation Trails designated by Congress. In 2012-2013,
more than 3.9 million people utilized Florida's greenways and designated trails
for health, transportation and recreation and boosting tourism in those communities.
In addition to the hundreds of miles of greenways and trails, Florida has more than 3,500 miles of designated as paddling trails or "Blueways." This month, the St. Johns River was designated a paddling trail by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council. Winding a majestic
310 miles from the marshes of Brevard County to Huguenot Park in Jacksonville,
the St. Johns River is the latest and longest scenic river in Florida to be
designated as a state paddling trail, one of 48 waterway trails that flow
throughout the state.
From activities such as paddling and
pedaling along the Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail near Islamorada to
guided walks along the beautiful trails at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
at Palm Coast, there are many ways to explore Florida’s state trails and parks
and celebrate Greenways and Trails Month.
Some of the special events offered in October,
include:
Northwest Florida
Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 at 10 a.m. and 2
p.m., Native Plants as Food for Medicine at St. Andrews State Park in Panama
City
Northeast Florida
Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., Haunted Hike and
Costume Ball at Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park in Keystone Heights
Central Florida
Oct. 18 at 6 p.m., Full Moon Beach
Hike at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Southwest Florida
Oct. 26 at 11 p.m. and Midnight, Halloween
Night Runs at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Weeki Wachee
Southeast Florida
Oct. 12 at 8 a.m., Down2Earth Paddleboard Race at
Oleta River State Park in North Miami
For a complete listing of activities please visit the DEP Online Newsroom.
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