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TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
announced today that Florida’s state parks contributed more than $936 million to
local communities during the 2006-07 fiscal year. During that time, state parks
generated more than 18,700 jobs and welcomed a record-breaking 19.5 million
visitors.
“Nature-based recreational activities at Florida’s state parks are a
significant part of Florida’s growing ecotourism industry,” said DEP Deputy
Secretary Bob Ballard. “Our state parks offer environmental recreation and
education for visitors of all ages, and this record-breaking success was a great
boost to the state’s economy.”
At the top of this year’s list is St. Andrews State Park in Panama City
Beach, which contributed more than $43 million to the state. Closely following
is Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, with more than $42 million in direct
economic impact; John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, contributing $38.3
million; Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers Beach, supplying $37.8 million for
South Florida economies; and Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne,
providing $35.5 million for Southeast Florida.
“Florida’s state parks are a popular draw for both out-of-state and local
visitors,” said DEP Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. “The beaches,
trails, and recreational and educational opportunities at state parks are
enjoyed at record-breaking levels across the state.”
Direct economic impact is calculated 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 for and used by the
National Park Service to assess economic impact in the local area around a park.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation’s best state park
system, the Florida Park Service is one of the largest in the country with 161
parks spanning 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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