FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 13, 2013
FLORIDA PARK SERVICE CELEBRATES FLORIDA HIKING TRAILS MONTH
~This month, head to a state trail to enjoy a
healthy activity in Florida’s great outdoors~
 The Palatka-Lake Butler State Trail corridor stretches nearly 47 miles from west of US 17 in Palatka to State
Road 238 in Lake Butler.
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s
Florida Park Service invites Floridians and visitors to enjoy a hike
along the state’s extensive, nationally recognized trail system during February and throughout the year. Recognizing the importance of
providing a healthy and affordable outdoor activity for Florida’s families and
visitors, Governor Rick Scott has
proclaimed February as Florida
Hiking Trails Month.
“February
is the perfect time for Florida citizens and visitors to take advantage of the
scenic beauty offered by our state’s outstanding system of trails,” said Donald
Forgione, DEP’s Florida Park Service Director. “Florida’s hiking trails give visitors access
to natural and cultural resources, as well as promote healthy lifestyles,
nature-based tourism and economic benefits for the state.”
Finding
that perfect trail to hike is now easier with the Official
Florida State Parks Mobile App for iPhones and Androids. This interactive
guide gives users on-the-go access to Florida’s 171 state parks, trails and
historic sites, complete with detailed information about campgrounds,
amenities, activities offered, facility maps, directions and so much more. The
app allows visitors to plan that perfect outdoor trip by searching for a park
by GPS location or activity to find nearby locations to enjoy hiking, camping,
boating, birding and more. Once there, advanced GPS and GIS mapping technology
allows visitors to track and record trails, mark waypoints and locate friends
within the park. There is even an option to cache GPS maps in advance to ensure
that navigation remains possible in the event of lost mobile reception.
Florida
Hiking Trails Month is designed to emphasize fun and fitness along scenic and
diverse trails--from urban trails in the midst of cityscapes to wilderness
trails that run through Florida’s award-winning state parks. Florida has a vast
network of trails that includes more than 2,500 miles of dedicated hiking
trails and several thousand more miles of multi-use, recreational trails within
federal, state, county and city recreational areas. Florida trails promote
healthy lifestyles as well as nature-based tourism and economic benefits for
the state.
For
ideas in planning your own hiking trips, download the new mobile app from iTunes
or Android Marketplace or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.
For additional travel-related information, explore Visit Florida’s trails
website http://www.visitflorida.com/trails/.
For more information about Florida Hiking Trails Month, look for the Florida Trail Association
chapter nearest you at www.floridatrail.org.
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