FLORIDA STATE PARKS

ORLANDO, Fla. — This summer, a trip to the library can get Floridians free admission to one of more than 170 participating state parks. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services have teamed up to give all Floridians access to Florida’s state parks with the Real Florida Reader Day Pass. “A visit to one of Florida’s state parks goes hand-in-hand with a visit to the library,” said DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “We are proud to partner with Florida State Parks to offer park passes in Florida’s public libraries,” said Secretary of State Cord Byrd. Read: Electric Ocean to light up SeaWorld again this summerTo find out more about the Real Florida Reader Day Pass, CLICK HERE.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — If you’re a nature lover who has been waiting to outfit your car with the new Florida State Parks license plate, you’re in luck. The Florida State Parks Specialty License Plate is now available for preorder! READ: Wreckage of whaling ship that likely sank 186 years ago found in GulfThe Florida State Parks specialty plates were authorized during the state’s 2021 legislative session. The revenue collected annually from sales will be distributed to the Florida State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit, for its “efforts to preserve, protect, sustain, and grow Florida state parks,” according to FLHSMV. For more information about Florida’s specialty license plates, click here.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Get ready to ring in the new year by participating in one of several “First Day Hikes” on New Year’s Day. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Park Service invite Florida’s residents and visitors to start a healthy new year at a Florida state park. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park in Port St. Joe. READ: ‘Millimeter or 2 away from death’: Man on dirt bike clotheslined by barbed wire along popular trail“First Day Hikes are a great way to begin 2022,” added Chuck Hatcher, acting director of Florida State Parks. Florida State Parks trails are not only great for hiking, but also for running, cycling and exploring with children.”Click here to find a park near you.

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced the closure of all Florida State Parks effective Monday. There are 12 state parks between Volusia and St. Johns County, including Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, DeLeon Springs State Park in DeLeon Springs and Blue Spring State Park in Orange City. Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, Bulow Creek State Park and Washington Oaks in Flagler County are also closed. At the direction of @GovRonDeSantis & to uphold @CDCgov guidance, DEP will close all Florida State Parks to the public effective Monday, March 23. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/wfXTMZdfa1 Florida State Parks (@FLStateParks) March 23, 2020

Florida State Parks announced that every state park will close Monday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will close the parks. Florida State Parks tweeted about the closure Sunday, asking for understanding. We look forward to welcoming you to our award winning parks as soon as possible,” the department said in a statement. As of Sunday, there were more than 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Florida, resulting in 13 deaths.