Media Advisory: Oct. 9, 2017

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

All State Parks in Northwest Florida Reopen After Hurricane Nate

~Florida State Parks across the Panhandle open for visitors to enjoy~

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service announces that all state parks in Northwest Florida are open for day use following Hurricane Nate.

Visitor safety is paramount in the decision to reopen Florida State Parks following severe weather. Staff continue to monitor water levels at Blackwater River State Park, and visitors can find continuously updated information at floridastateparks.org and the Florida State Parks Facebook page.

Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for Hurricane Nate. Visit FloridaDisaster.org for updates and information about this storm.

The 2017 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 – Nov. 30. For additional information about severe weather in Florida, and to "Get a Plan," visit FLGetAPlan.com. For continuous updates and preparation tips, 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

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