FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 20, 2012
FLORIDA STATE PARKS TO HOST FIRST DAY HIKES
~Start 2013 with a hike in Florida's state parks and trails~
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service invites the public to get back to nature and start the New Year out right by participating in America's State Parks First Day Hikes 2013 on Jan. 1.
America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1 at a state park. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. Currently, there are 627 First Day Hikes spanning all 50 states. The Florida Park Service is proud to host more than 60 events, the most of any state.
“I encourage Florida families and visitors to begin 2013 in our state parks and enjoy the natural world around you,” said Donald Forgione, Florida Park Service Director. “Join others across Florida and the nation for a First Day Hike as part of a national health and outdoor awareness movement.”
Start times will vary by park. Please check the park’s event page for details. The events will take place:
Northwest Region
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
3540 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee
Blackwater River State Park
7720 Deaton Bridge Road, Holt
Camp Helen State Park
23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach
Grayton Beach State Park
357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach
Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park
4281 State Road 20, Niceville
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach
T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
8899 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe
Florida Caverns State Park
3345 Caverns Road, Marianna
St. Andrews State Park
4607 State Park Lane, Panama City
Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park
12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola
Northeast Region
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon
Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve
12 S.W. 125th Court, Cedar Key
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
12087 S.W. U.S. 27, Fort White
Manatee Springs State Park
11650 N.W. 115th Street, Chiefland
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
18700 S. County Road 325, Cross Creek
O'Leno State Park
0 SE O'Leno Park Road, High Springs
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy
Central Region
Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park
4335 Firetower Road, Haines City
Anastasia State Park
1340-A State Road A1A South, St. Augustine
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City
Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park
3165 Old King Road, Flagler Beach
Colt Creek State Park
16000 State Rd 471, Lakeland
De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, De Leon Springs
Dunns Creek State Park
U.S. 17 North, Pomona Park
Faver-Dykes State Park
1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine
Fort Mose Historic State Park
15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
3100 S. State Road A1A, Flagler Beach
Haw Creek at Tomoka State Park
2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach
Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road, Deland
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
33104 N.W. 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee
Lake Griffin State Park
9 U.S. 441/27, Fruitland Park
Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park
8300 W. State Road 46, Sanford
Palatka-to-St Augustine State Trail
1600 Twigg Street, Palatka
Ravine Gardens State Park
1600 Twigg Street, Palatka
Rock Springs Run State Reserve
30601 CR 433, Sorrento
St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park
1000 Buffer Preserve Drive, Fellsmere
Sebastian Inlet State Park
9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach
Silver River State Park
1425 N.E. 58th Avenue, Ocala
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
6400 N. Oceanshore Boulevard, Palm Coast
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka
Southwest Region
Lovers Key State Park
8700 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach
Myakka River State Park
13208 State Road 72, Sarasota
Stump Pass Beach State Park
900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood
Honeymoon Island State Park
#1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin
Caladesi Island State Park
#1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin
Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa
Southeast Region
Bahia Honda State Park
36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce
Seabranch Preserve State Park
State Road A1A, Stuart
Curry Hammock State Park
56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
3109 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach
John U. Lloyd Beach State Park
6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach
Oleta River State Park
3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami
Savannas Preserve State Park
2541 Walton Road, Port St. Lucie
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
1200 S. Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne
Long Key State Park
67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key
Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail
3 La Croix Court, Key Largo
Visit the website for a complete list of special events in Florida’s state parks.
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