FLORIDA STATE PARKS IMPLEMENT NEW RESERVATIONS SYSTEM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2001

Florida State Parks Implement New Reservations System

-- First two callers receive pleasant surprise—free camping vacations --

TALLAHASSEE – A new toll-free state parks central reservation system was unveiled, replacing the former reservations procedure, which required callers to contact individual parks at their own expense. The new system is a much easier, more cost effective way for customers to book camping and cabin reservations.

"The new visitor-friendly, reservations system is such a great step forward for visitors who want to reserve camp sites and cabins in Florida’s award-winning state parks, that we wanted to mark the occasion in a special way," said Bob Ballard, Department of Environmental Protection’s Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation.

The first two lucky callers to Florida State Parks new toll-free reservations system -- both Floridians -- earned free camping vacations. Ballard, and Florida State Parks Director Wendy Spencer, were on hand to take reservations at the Orlando Call Center of ReserveAmerica, the state’s contractor.

To honor their status as number one and number two callers, camping fees were waived for William Shivelle of Palm Coast on a Christmas vacation at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, and a January camping vacation at Lake Kissimmee State Park in Lake Wales for Kurt Hampton, from Sunrise, respectively.

"This partnership with ReserveAmerica will make it easier than ever for our overnight visitors to

experience Florida’s natural areas in our nationally-recognized state parks, which we call "The Real Florida^SM,"said Spencer. "We anticipate 130,000 visitors will use the system each year, and what’s even better, there’s no cost to the caller."

Currently, Florida’s state park system -- with 155 parks covering nearly 600,000 acres throughout the state -- has more than 3,000 campsites in some 50 camping parks. Ten parks have vacation cabins, with another 143 new vacation cabins under construction in eight parks through a public-private partnership. More than 18 million persons visited Florida’s state parks last year.

The reservations system toll free number is 1-800-326-3521 or 1-866-I CAMP FL.

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Resources for: Citizens Educators Businesses Government Information Calendar Contacts News Newsletters Organizational Chart Publications & Reports Unless indicated, documents on this Web site are Adobe Acrobat files, and require the free reader software.	Press Office FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2001 Florida State Parks Implement New Reservations System -- First two callers receive pleasant surprise—free camping vacations -- TALLAHASSEE – A new toll-free state parks central reservation system was unveiled, replacing the former reservations procedure, which required callers to contact individual parks at their own expense. The new system is a much easier, more cost effective way for customers to book camping and cabin reservations. "The new visitor-friendly, reservations system is such a great step forward for visitors who want to reserve camp sites and cabins in Florida’s award-winning state parks, that we wanted to mark the occasion in a special way," said Bob Ballard, Department of Environmental Protection’s Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation. The first two lucky callers to Florida State Parks new toll-free reservations system -- both Floridians -- earned free camping vacations. Ballard, and Florida State Parks Director Wendy Spencer, were on hand to take reservations at the Orlando Call Center of ReserveAmerica, the state’s contractor. To honor their status as number one and number two callers, camping fees were waived for William Shivelle of Palm Coast on a Christmas vacation at Oscar Scherer State Park in Osprey, and a January camping vacation at Lake Kissimmee State Park in Lake Wales for Kurt Hampton, from Sunrise, respectively. "This partnership with ReserveAmerica will make it easier than ever for our overnight visitors to experience Florida’s natural areas in our nationally-recognized state parks, which we call "The Real Florida^SM,"said Spencer. "We anticipate 130,000 visitors will use the system each year, and what’s even better, there’s no cost to the caller." Currently, Florida’s state park system -- with 155 parks covering nearly 600,000 acres throughout the state -- has more than 3,000 campsites in some 50 camping parks. Ten parks have vacation cabins, with another 143 new vacation cabins under construction in eight parks through a public-private partnership. More than 18 million persons visited Florida’s state parks last year. The reservations system toll free number is 1-800-326-3521 or 1-866-I CAMP FL. -30- Sign up for DEP's Press Releases email: Last updated: August 18, 2005
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