Message from Our Director

Summer is here! 

June is National Rivers Month.  

May was a big month for us in the Florida Park Service. We celebrated the opening of the historic Fort Mose reconstruction, two of Florida’s state park beaches were named in the annual Dr. Beach “Top Ten Beaches” list and the National Recreation and Park Administration announced that Florida State Parks is a finalist for an unprecedented fifth National Gold Medal in for Excellence in Park and Recreation Administration. I’m very proud of our staff, volunteers and partners for their hard work in making all this happen. It’s true what they say - people really do make the parks! 

With all that wind under our wings, I’m feeling good going into summer. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Florida’s natural and cultural resources. One thing I’m excited about is Nature Photography Day on June 15. We recently wrapped up the Florida State Parks “Capture…the Real Florida” photo contest and the entries (aside from bring beautiful) provided me with a new perspective on the things I see in the parks. Check out the entries, and if you feel inspired, find a park near you and try it out.  

June is also National Rivers Month. Florida State Parks is home to Florida’s only two National Wild and Scenic Rivers: the Loxahatchee River at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and the Wekiwa River at Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park. For a real summer adventure, make a plan to paddle a section of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.  

If you like to fish, check out the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s license-free fishing days and find a place to fish at one of 127 state parks where fishing is available. License-free fishing days are a great way to introduce a friend or relative who may not have a fishing license to this age-old sport.  

There’s plenty of fun to be had as we kick off summer.  

See you in the parks, 
Chuck Hatcher, Director
Florida State Parks