FLORIDA STATE PARKS CELEBRATE NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY ON MAY 18
~State Parks to host a variety of family friendly events and activities ~
A family enjoys a day at the beach at Little Talbot Island State Park in Jacksonville.
TALLAHASSEE –The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service will celebrate National Kids to Parks Day on Saturday, May 18. Parents are encouraged to celebrate by bringing their children to a state park for a picnic, a hike in the woods or a refreshing swim.
"National Kids to Parks Day provides a wonderful opportunity for families to experience Florida's natural beauty with a fun day outside," said Florida Park Service Director Donald V. Forgione. "This Saturday, gather your kids and friends and head to a Florida state park to explore nature and enjoy our famous sunshine."
Many of Florida's state parks have organized special events appropriate for children and families for Saturday, May 18:
Northwest Florida
Civil War Weekend
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Orman House Historic State Park
Apalachicola
Topsail Nature Hike
3 p.m.
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Santa Rosa Beach
Northeast Florida
Nature Hike
2 p.m.
Fort George Island Cultural State Park
Jacksonville
Turtles and Reptiles Program
10 a.m.
O'Leno State Park
High Springs
Central Florida
Discovery Hike
10 a.m.
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
Flagler Beach
Nature Fest
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lake Louisa State Park
Clermont
Disasters & Dreams Powerpoint Program
1 p.m.
Sebastian Inlet State Park
Melbourne Beach
Stargazing Event
7:30 p.m.
Silver River State Park
Ocala
Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tomoka State Park
Ormond Beach
Third Saturday Photo Challenge
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Palm Coast
Southwest Florida
Music in the Park
7 p.m.
Highlands Hammock State Park
Sebring
Cayo Costa Heritage Day
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cayo Costa State Park
Boca Grande
Eagle Hike
8 a.m.
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park
Port Richey
South Florida
Introduction to Kayak Fishing
1 p.m.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
North Palm Beach
Scavenger Hunt
10 a.m.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Hobe Sound
National Kids to Parks Day is a nationwide grassroots movement which was established as part of the National Park Trust’s ongoing efforts to connect youth across the country with nature and encourage them to explore outdoors – especially at parks in their communities. National Kids to Parks Day is held on the third Saturday every May and is responsible for bringing more than 100,000 kids and families to parks
