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SOUTHEAST FLORIDA – Governor Charlie Crist, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Division of
Recreation & Parks and the Florida Recreation and Park Association have designated July as Recreation and Parks Month, encouraging
family, friends and close-to-home fun. To celebrate this designation, all 161 state parks will waive park admission fees on
Sunday, July 13.
“Florida’s state parks are an ideal place for children, families and friends to exercise, connect with nature and learn about our
state,” said Florida State Park Director Mike Bullock. “The Family. Friends. Fun. events offered at Florida’s state parks during
Recreation and Parks Month will enrich the lives of Floridians and visitors by connecting them with natural Florida.”
Since 1985, state, national and local recreation areas throughout America have celebrated July with this designation. This year,
Florida State Parks are encouraging family-friendly, outdoor recreation with the launch of its Family. Friends. Fun. campaign
to reconnect children and families with nature by engaging them in outdoor activity.
Family-friendly Recreation and Parks Month activities in southeast Florida include:
Snakes Alive
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Fridays, July 4, 11, 18, 25 at 2:00 p.m.
Participants will meet at the Kimbell Center to learn about Florida's native snakes and meet King, a 27-year-old Florida
kingsnake. This program is free with park admission. For more information, call (561) 745-5551.
Fourth of July National Salute
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Friday, July 4 at 8:00 a.m.
Fort Taylor’s Civil War re-enactment unit will host an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with a 34-gun National Salute to
the United States, a standard celebration at fortresses in the 1800s. A cannon shot will be fired every 15 minutes for each state
admitted to the Union up until 1861. The event will begin with the Raising of the National Colors at 8:00 a.m. inside Fort Taylor.
The first cannon salvo will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the last shot will be fired at 5:30 p.m. This program is free with park
admission. For more information, call (305) 292-6713.
Old Fashioned Fourth of July Picnic
The Barnacle Historic State Park
Friday, July 4 at 11:00 a.m.
The Barnacle Society will host an old-fashioned picnic on the grounds of the park’s 19th century pioneer homesite. The
family-oriented event will feature lawn games, kite-making, knot-tying demonstrations and more. The house and grounds will be
decorated in traditional July fourth bunting. Guests are invited to join the staff and volunteers by wearing a period costume and
bringing family and friends along with a blanket and picnic lunch. The event will take place between 11:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and
the park will remain open to the public from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Fees for this event are $5.00 for 12 years and older,
$2.00 for ages 6-12 and children under 6 are free. For more information, call (305) 442-6866.
Dip-Net Discovery
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Saturdays, July 5 and 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Participants will join park staff at Pine Grove Lake, near the Pine Grove Campground to learn about the secret inhabitants of
the lake’s waters. For more information, call (561) 745-5551.
Junior Tracker
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Saturdays, July 12 and 26 at 10:00 a.m.
Participants will meet at the Kimbell Center to discover the wildlife that lives in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This program
is free with park admission. For more information, call (561) 745-5551.
Family Fitness Weekend
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13
The park will host the annual Family Fitness Weekend, sponsored by Publix Supermarkets. Racing events will be offered in all age
categories for kids and adults. Weekend events will include a triathlon, duathalon, runs, bike and skating races. The Family
Fitness Weekend is organized by Exclusive Sports Marketing. For more information and registration, visit
www.familyfitnessweekend.com.
Sea Turtle Program
Fort Pierce Inlet State Park
Sunday, July 13 at 12:00 p.m.
Guests are invited to bring family and friends for a free day at the park to learn about reptiles of the sea. There will be an
activity for all ages following the reptile program. Park entry and program are free of charge. For more information, call
(772) 468-3985.
Children and Nature Program
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
Tuesday and Wednesday, July 15 and 16 at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park will offer four short guided nature walks through the park’s hammock and wetlands. The tours
will last about an hour, and begin at the Youth Camp near No Name Harbor. Rangers at the entrance station will direct guests.
Park entry fees will apply, but the tours are free. Participants should bring sunscreen, insect repellent and drinking water.
For more information, call (305) 361-5811.
Butterfly Walk
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Saturday, July 19 at 11:00 a.m.
Park Rangers will lead a walking tour through one of South Florida’s last remaining hardwood hammocks. Guests will observe several
species of butterflies and learn which plants attract the creatures. This program is informative and entertaining for children and
adults alike. Free with park admission of $4.00 per carload. For more information and reservations, call the Nature Center at
(561) 624-6952.
Walk on the Wet Side
Long Key State Park
Thursday, July 24 at 9:00 a.m.
Beginning at 10:00 a.m., park rangers will conduct a tide pool walk lasting approximately one hour, and offer a one-hour, guided
canoe trip in the mangrove lagoon. The Friends of the Islamorada Area State Parks will provide hamburgers and hotdogs for sale
along with sodas and water. Following lunch at 2:00 p.m., the park will offer a second guided canoe trip. Activities are free
with park admission. Visitors may register for the canoe trips upon arrival at the park. For more information, call (305) 664-4815.
Kids and Nature Program
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Saturday, July 26 at 11:00 a.m.
Rangers will present programs on snorkeling and scuba diving in addition to a guided walk through the park’s Nature Area.
Rangers will also discuss the history of Zachary Taylor; and onsite will be a traveling exhibit about shipwrecks. The snorkeling
and nature tours will last about an hour. Tours are free with regular park admission fees. For more information, call
(305) 292-6713
Birding
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
Sunday, July 27 at 9:30 a.m.
Bird lovers can join a ranger led educational walk identifying many species of birds that make their home in the park. Visitors
are encouraged to bring binoculars or rent them at the Park’s Nature Center. Program is free with park admission of $4.00 per
carload and suitable for the entire family. For more information or to make reservations, call the Nature Center at (561) 624-6952.
For more information on events during Recreation and Parks Month, visit
www.FloridaStateParks.org.
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