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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP)
Florida Park Service is welcoming visitors to the 161st state park, St. Marks
River State Park. Located in Jefferson and Leon counties, the 2,589-acre
property lies only 20 miles outside of Tallahassee. The state park aids in
buffering the St. Marks River from development and preserves its water quality
while also protecting the natural communities in the floodplain.
“The division will hold public workshops for interested community members to
help develop the unit management plan for the park,” said Florida Park Service
Director Mike Bullock. “We anticipate adding a parking area, accessible restroom
facilities, a picnic facility and a kiosk with brochures and information about
the park in the upcoming months.” ”
Rich in cultural and natural resources, St. Marks River State Park houses
dirt road systems dating back to the mid-1800s. State park archaeologists and
resource managers are studying these road systems as well as sinkholes and other
cultural sites to develop a historical understanding of the area. Currently,
visitors can explore the property’s wildlife by hiking or biking on the park’s
existing road system while the Florida Park Service develops the management plan
and necessary infrastructure for the park.
St. Marks River State Park is home to a variety of native wildlife for
visitors to experience, including the threatened black bear, bobcats, fox, deer,
turkeys and fox squirrels. Birding enthusiasts can spot an array of hawks, owls
and ducks wading and flying within the park. The plush river land provides a
scenic assortment of plant communities including a floodplain forest, xeric
hammock, flatwoods, sandhill and bay heads.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park
service, Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with
161 parks spanning almost 700,000 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-round 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 State Parks, visit
www.FloridaStateParks.org.
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