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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Park Service announced
today that Florida’s state parks contributed millions to
local economies last fiscal year. Florida State Parks
contributed more than $665 million to local communities
last fiscal year, generating more than 13,000 jobs and
welcoming more than 17.3 million visitors.
“Florida’s state parks provide inexpensive,
high-quality recreation and education in a natural
setting,” said Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP) Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “State parks
protect our environment, entertain and inform millions
of visitors and contribute more than half a billion
dollars to the economy every year.”
Topping the list this year was John Pennekamp Coral
Reef State Park in Key Largo, which contributed almost
$43 million into the economy. Closely following is
Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, with more than
$30 million in direct economic impact; St. Andrews State
Park in Panama City, supplying $26 million for Northwest
Florida economies; Anastasia State Park in St.
Augustine, contributing $22.5 million; and Sebastian
Inlet State Park in Melbourne Beach, providing $17.9
million for Central Florida.
“State Parks are a growing tourist attraction that
protect the environment and offer cultural and natural
resources for recreation,” said Florida State Parks
Director Mike Bullock. “With growing interest in nature
and heritage tourism, Florida’s state parks are becoming
favorite attractions that offer guests of all ages an
unforgettable experience.”
Direct economic impact is defined as the amount of
new dollars spent in the local economy by non-local park
visitors and park operations. The Florida Park Service
uses the Money Generation Model designed and used by the
National Park Service to assess economic impact in the
local area around a park.
Nominated as a finalist for the Gold Medal award
honoring the Nation’s Best State Park Service, Florida’s
state park system is one of the largest in the country
with 159 parks spanning more than 723,000 acres and more
than 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and
diving in rivers and springs to birding and fishing or
hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s
state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all
ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals
celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows,
museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s
cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida’s State Parks,
visit
www.floridastateparks.org.
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