| Florida Department of Environmental Protection | August 30, 2013 Newsletter |
Runners to Experience "Real Florida" during Southwest Florida Run Series
~Runners can experience eight races in eight weeks in eight Southwest Florida state parks~
|
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service is pleased to host the Real Florida Run Series in eight Southwest Florida state parks. The Real Florida Run Series provides residents and visitors an opportunity to exercise and enjoy Florida's natural beauty.
The series is sponsored in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's South District Office in conjunction with Southwest Florida Naturally, Fit 2 Run, Chico's FAS and Endurance Sports Timing.
Each race event features a themed 5K and 10K chipped race open to runners and walkers. Each state park offers fantastic views and gorgeous trails for all levels of experience. The Real Florida Run Series is open to all ages with medals to be presented to the first three male and the first three female finishers at the end of each race and in each age category. Adventurers who run five or more of the total of eight races will receive a special award.
Participants are invited to enjoy the state park before and after each race. Post race celebrations will include raffles, exclusive park tours and an experience unique to each state park. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the excitement of the races and the park activities.
Sunday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. - Sunset Celebration Run at Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach
Saturday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. - The Haunting of Fort Chokonikla Halloween Run for Your Life at Paynes Creek Historic State Park, 888 Lake Branch Road, Bowling Green
Visit Endurance Sports Timing to register. Pre-Registration fees are $20 for 5K races and $30 for 10K races. Participants who are 65 years or older, who are active duty military or veterans, or emergency responders should enter the promo code "discount" for a 20 percent discount. Family discounts are available for families of 4 or more with children under the age of 18.
Please see registration website for more details. Please check back regularly for updates to race activities and additional discounts. For questions regarding the run series please contact Arielle Poulos at 239.344.5686 or by email.
|
|
|
September is Literacy Month at Florida State Parks
~Enjoy reading at a Florida state park while experiencing nature.~
| Literacy Month at Florida State Parks is packed with fun-filled events for people of all ages. Special events held around the state offer opportunities for participation.
To celebrate International Literacy Day, Sunday, Sept. 8 will be a free entry day to Florida State Parks* for all visitors who bring a library card, a library book or who donate a new or gently-used, family-friendly book (*excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park).
More than 20 events are scheduled around the state throughout September. Here is a sample:
Northwest Florida
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 1 to 3 p.m. - Story Time in the Gardens at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee. Children will hear stories read from a variety of books and then enjoy cookies and lemonade. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. - Book Reading at Ochlockonee River State Park in Sopchoppy. Children's author Evelyn Gilmer will read her books Maggie the Beagle with Broken Tail and Baby Sea Turtles. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $4 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Northeast Florida
Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Literacy Day “Where Tales Meet Trails” Book Fair at O'Leno State Park in High Springs. Magic and the Gentle Carousel Therapy Horses will give performances of characters from their favorite books. Listen to stories, talk to illustrators, take an adventure walk, sign up for a library card and learn about literacy program. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $5 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Literacy Day at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Citrus County Library will assist visitors with signing up for a library card (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and the Sheriff's Department will offer its Children's Identification program (1 to 4 p.m) Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $13 per adult or $5 per child, ages 6-12.
Central Florida
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. - Read with a Ranger at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Join Ranger Nick for a fun event with children's books for children, aged nine and younger. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $8 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Read among the Trees at De Leon Springs State Park in Deland. Visitors will receive one free book or magazine (or they can bring one item to swap). Children can take part in the Visitor Center Scavenger hunt and special give away drawings. Meet author Lucy Tobias, a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association who is passionate about Florida's natural gifts. Admission is $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Experience Fort Mose: Colonial Children Story time and Crafts at Fort Mose Historic State Park in St. Augustine. Volunteers in period attire will offer a fascinating glimpse into the 1730s. Children can complete a craft project. Admission to the museum is $2 per person.
Southwest Florida
Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. - Literacy Day at Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring. Join Park Manager Steven Dale for a Read with a Ranger Story Hour with Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. - Celebrate Children’s Literacy: Monarch and Milkweed at Lovers Key State Park. Children will enjoy story time with a park ranger, an outdoor activity and a craft project. Limited space. Pre-registration required (239-463-4588). Admission is $8 per vehicle, up to eight people.
South Florida
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Book Exchange at Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. Bring a children's book to donate and receive a book free. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $6 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Barnacle, Books, Birds, and Boats at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove. Enjoy educational activities, games and prizes, and story book reading with a Park Ranger, or bring a blanket and your own book to read in the shade. Admission to the park is free with a library card, library book or donation of a new or gently-used, family friendly book. Otherwise, admission is $2 per person.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo will host a month-long book exchange. Bring a book to the Visitor Center to exchange for another book. Braille and books-on-tape are welcome.
Throughout September, Stephen Foster Folk Cutture Center State Park and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park will host events where park rangers spend time with 4th grade students in Hamilton County reading Marjorie Kinnan Rawling’s Classic novel The Yearling. Students will read in class with their teachers and visit the state park to hear more about the pioneer family braving the wilds of what is now the Ocala National Forest. The Grand Finale will take place on Wednesday, September 25 when the final chapters of the book will be read by a Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings look-a-like.
Visit our website for a complete list of literacy activities at state parks. |
|
|
Learn about History at a Florida State Park
~2013 Commemorates 500 Years of Florida rich and diverse history.~
Ice Machine at John Gorrie Museum State Park. | Viva Florida! 500. Florida’s state parks and trails have joined the Florida Department of State in commemorating 500 years of Florida history throughout 2013. This significant milestone marks the anniversary of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon’s landing on the east coast of a mysterious land – a land he named La Florida.
Since that time, many nationalities and cultures have influenced the course of Florida’s history. Celebrations of Florida’s rich heritage and diverse cultural history will help you experience reenactments of past events first-hand. See for yourself how our past helped shape Florida into what it is today: a thriving community of many diverse cultures.
Throughout the year, we'll share events and cultures that helped shape the history of Florida.
Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Gorrie Ice Days at John Gorrie Museum State Park in Apalachicola. Celebrate the ice machine with ice sculpting, children's activities, snow cones and more. FREE.
Sunday, Sept. 22 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. - Old Time Dance at The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove. Bring the family to learn circles, squares, contras and waltzes with Lou Dow. Gates open at 6 p.m. No pets. $10 per person, 9 and under free.
Friday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 29 - 2nd Annual Inter-Tribal Native American Holiday POW WOW at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park in Bushnell. Enjoy native crafts, demonstrations, singing and dancing, story telling, native food and more. $3 per person, children under 12 free.
Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Olustee Civil War Expo at Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park, 15 miles from Lake City. Travel back to the days of the Civil War with military encampments and reenactors who talk about the hardships and visitors of the war. $5 per vehicle, up to eight people.
Join us throughout 2013 as we commemorate Florida's rich heritage and the events that have shaped the state. |
|
|
Fun and Volunteer Opportunities at Florida State Parks
|
Upcoming Special Events
Mobile App for Smartphones Plan your state park adventures using the new Pocket Ranger® app for your smartphone.The FREE Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app is available now on iTunes, Android Market and PocketRanger.com.
|
No comments:
Post a Comment