DEP LAUNCHES PINTEREST FLORIDA PARK FIT BOARD

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 30, 2013

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

DEP LAUNCHES PINTEREST FLORIDA PARK FIT BOARD

~Florida's state parks offer outdoor area for recreation and fitness activities ~

park fit

Rowing machines do not have views like this. Get out and add some vistas to your workout.

TALLAHASSEE  Bored with your regular workout? Tired of pricey gym fees, crowded workout rooms and sweaty equipment? Change up your fitness routine by venturing into a Florida State Park!

Check out the Florida Park Service’s newly launched Florida Park Fit Pinterest board, which provides residents and visitors with tips and locations to get out of the gym and into a park. The Florida Park Fit board is a perfect way to discover new exercise methods and ideas to change up your diet and fitness regimen.

Rather than staring at a treadmill in a crowded gym, you could be outside seeing interesting plants and rare wildlife, while burning calories and enjoying Florida's natural spaces. With 161 parks and 10 trails statewide, chances are there is a state park nearby that offers a variety of recreational and fitness opportunities.

"Connecting with nature is important for our sense of well being," said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. "Enjoying outside activities with family and friends is a good way to exercise and gain fitness and have fun at the same time."

The Florida Park Fit board contains family-friendly activities, including information about playing Frisbee; snorkeling; canoeing and kayaking; stand-up paddleboarding and bicycling. For each activity, the Board includes pins about calories burned and  places where that activity is offered.The Florida Park Fit board also includes tips for wellness, such as staying hydrated while you exercise and preparing healthy snacks.

Followers can expect to learn about activities and opportunities that are new and different. For instance, the Florida Park Fit board includes information about Stand Up Paddleboard Yoga at Amelia Island State Park in Jacksonville. Offered by park concessionaire Kayak Amelia, this activity, which combines paddleboarding and yoga, has been very popular.

To access the board, follow @FLStateParks on Pinterest, an online tool for collecting and organizing information. Nearly 50 million people use Pinterest globally in their lives and work. Highlights of different activities will be added to the Florida Park Fit Board every two weeks.

While on Pinterest, you should also follow DEP's Office of Aquatic and Managed Areas on Pinterest (@AquaticFlorida) for photos and information about Florida's Aquatic Preserves and National Estuarine Research Reserves.