Caspersen Beach

Governor Crist again dubbed July as Florida Parks & Rec month to keep in synch with National Parks & Recreation Month. Honestly, most other states can only celebrate it in the summer months … we can celebrate year-round!

While mid-summer is not the ideal time to take long hike, these are the days - when storms aren’t bearing down - when we can get out early and enjoy a hike AND a swim afterwards. Lucky us to have so many springs and beaches to pair up with easy nature walks. Here are some of my favorites hike & swim pairings:

Blackwater River State Park, near Pensacola
Wakulla Springs State Park, south of Tallahassee
Big Talbot Island @ Blackrock Beach, north of Jacksonville
Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest
Smyrna Dunes Park, New Smyrna Beach
Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin
Coquina Baywalk, Bradenton
Caspersen Beach Park, Venice

All Florida State Parks will offer free entrance on July 17, so if you’re not a passholder, get out there and explore a new one! Got an iPhone? My Florida State Parks app can help you pick the proper park for your family’s favorite activities. It’s only $1.99 and packed with photos … plus GPS-enabled to help you pick parks by proximity … so grab a copy!

For Father’s Day, Florida State Parks is offering 75% off admission fees in honor of Dad and the 75th anniversary of Florida State Parks. I’d thought it was free - sorry fir the premature announcement, readers - but 75% off is a heck of a deal! Take Dad out to swim, snorkel, fish - saltwater fishing IS free this weekend - or just chill out at a museum on Sunday. Enjoy!

Arlington Lions Club Park

Jacksonville has a hidden secret in Arlington Lions Club Park - a nice long boardwalk along the St. Johns River, perfect for manatee watching. Pack a picnic or bring your fishing pole! It doesn’t hurt that there’s over a mile of boardwalks and trails to explore, too. Give this park a thought as you GO! this Saturday for National Get Outdoors Day!

Learn more about Arlington Park

A.D. Barnes Park

June 12 is GO Day … Get Outdoors! Join Americans across the country in reconnecting yourself and your family to the outdoors as part of National Get Outdoors Day.

No matter whether you go hiking, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, or just take a little time out for nature and family, be a part of this effort to get America moving and immersing in our natural wonders.

Here’s a new idea for an urban escape if you live in the Miami area - A.D. Barnes Park off Bird Road. In addition to its nature center and nature trails, it has swimming and picnicking. The paved trail system is wheelchair and stroller-accessible.

9 AM Sat June 5, the Florida Trail Association plans a National Trails Day celebration at Wakulla Station on the Tallahassee-St Marks Historic Railroad Trail. Join the group for hiking, bike riding, trail info, and the official designation of St Marks and Sopchoppy as Gateway Communities for the Florida Trail. More details at the Florida Trail website