Media Advisory: Oct. 19, 2016

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

ALL FLORIDA STATE PARKS OPEN FOLLOWING HURRICANE MATTHEW

~Washington Oaks Gardens State Park reopens today~

Staff work to repair the dunes at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – DEP’s Florida Park Service announces that, with the reopening of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, all Florida State Parks are now open following impacts from Hurricane Matthew. Florida Park Service staff have traveled across the state to impacted areas to reopen the 95 state parks and trails that closed due to Hurricane Matthew. 

The Florida Park Service coordinated with the Army Corps of Engineers and Flagler County to reopen Washington Oaks Gardens State Park as quickly as possible. After the park's beach dunes received significant damage during the storm, Florida Park Service strike teams quickly went to work to restore the park and mitigate flooding. Staff from the Army Corps of Engineers and Flagler County provided critical support throughout the process.

Following severe weather events, the Florida Park Service works to reopen parks as quickly as possible to provide recreation for Florida's residents and visitors. Strike teams from parks unaffected by Hurricane Matthew were sent to the areas hardest hit by the storm to assess damage and begin cleanup efforts. State parks are opened as quickly as visitor safety can be assured. Parks that have reopened may have reduced amenities.

Please visit floridastateparks.org and the Florida State Parks Facebook page for continuously updated information.

The 2016 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 – Nov. 30. For additional information about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan, visit FloridaDisaster.org and FLGetAPlan.com. Follow the State Emergency Response Team on Twitter at @FLSERT and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails 

The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of three National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first three-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005 and 2013 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.

Florida’s 174 state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. Download the Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app, available on iTunes and Android Market, to plan your trip and enhance your experience. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/16c77d2