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TALLAHASSEE- Florida State Parks last night was
awarded the National Recreation and Parks Association’s
Gold Medal Award, honoring Florida as the “Nation’s Best
State Park Service”. The Gold Medal, a second for
Florida’s park system, was presented at the 2005
National Recreation and Park Association Congress and
Exposition in San Antonio, Texas.
“Winning the Gold Medal Award twice in the last five
years is a remarkable accomplishment for Florida State
Parks, and I applaud the park rangers and staff for
making it possible,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “By
preserving natural Florida lands as recreational and
educational opportunities for more than 17.3 million
visitors each year, we are protecting wildlife habitat
and offering more open space for families to enjoy.”
The Gold Medal honors the nation’s outstanding park
and recreation agencies for excellence in the field of
recreation management. The State Park Award, presented
every other year, focuses on the achievements of state
park system and its programs providing recreational,
educational and leisure services to its citizens.
The Florida Park Service, managed under the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, was a finalist in the National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal award in 1997, and won the Gold Medal in 1999.
This year, the Florida Park Service’s first opportunity to reapply since 1999, is the only time a state agency has won the Gold Medal twice.
Florida competed with state park systems from Missouri,
North Carolina and Tennessee for the award.
“This designation is a reflection of the Governor and
Cabinet’s focus on preservation and protection of
Florida’s environment,” said Florida Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille.
“The dedication of more than 1,000 park rangers and
management staff is the foundation of this prestigious
award, and we could not have achieved this without their
support.”
Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in
the country with 159 parks spanning more than 723,000
acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming
and diving in Florida’s 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.
To plan a visit to a Florida State Park, make a
camping reservation or to find more information about
events, festivals and park activities, visit
www.floridastateparks.org. | 
