Florida State Park and Recreation Month in July

NORTHWEST FLORIDA - Gov. Charlie Crist recently signed a proclamation recognizing July as Park and Recreation Month. To celebrate, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Florida Park Service encourages Florida's citizens, families and friends to experience outdoor recreation at a Florida state park in July.

"Florida's state parks provide an endless opportunity for family and friends to enjoy the great outdoors and all of its benefits," said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock. "During Park and Recreation Month, we encourage residents and visitors to experience the treasures of state parks in their backyard."

Since 1985, the National Recreation and Park Association has designated July as Park and Recreation Month. This year, the Florida Park Service continues its Family. Friends. Fun. campaign which aims to reconnect children and families with nature by engaging them in outdoor activity.

Northwest Florida is host to a variety of state parks that engage visitors in natural surroundings, recreation, culture and history. Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola offers opportunities for camping and water sports, and crabbing in Big Lagoon is a popular activity as well. Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna is the only state park in Florida providing cave tours to the public, and Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee is the first to offer MP3 audio guided tours of the park. For more information about state parks and activities in northwest Florida, visit the online park guide at www.FloridaStateParks.org.

Special events for Park and Recreation Month in northwest Florida include:

Living Treasures of the Gulf
Henderson Beach State Park

• Monday, July 6 through Friday, July 10
  This adventure under the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico will feature the wide variety of species that live in the gulf, ranging from dolphins and jellyfish, to sea turtles and include various educational programs, talks and a puppet show. Program topics vary throughout the week, for a copy of the schedule of events and more information, call (850) 837-7550.

Let's Sign in the Sunshine
Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park

• Saturday, July 18, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
  St. George Island State Park and Ability 1st, the Center for Independent Living in North Florida, Inc., will host a deaf awareness event entitled, "Let's Sign in the Sunshine." This will be a family friendly event in the sun. The price of admission to the park and event will be waived with a flier from Ability 1st. For more information, call (850) 927-2111.