Florida State Parks honor Veterans with Free park entrance

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida State Parks will offer free day-use entry to all state park visitors on Thursday, November 11, 2010 in recognition of Veterans Day and in celebration of the 75^th Anniversary of Florida State Parks.

“It is a great privilege for Florida State Parks to honor the American service members who have courageously dedicated their lives to serve and protect our country by offering free admission to all state parks on Veterans Day,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “We hope that all of Florida’s citizens and visitors will take advantage of this day to experience the state’s natural and cultural gems while honoring our dedicated service men and women.”

Florida State Parks recently increased benefits for veterans and active-duty service members. Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service and reserve members now receive a 25 percent discount on the purchase of a Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass. The discount provides a savings of $15 on an individual annual pass and $30 on a family annual pass, which allows up to eight people in a group to access most of Florida’s 160 state parks. In addition, honorably discharged veterans who have service connected disabilities and surviving spouses of military veterans who have fallen in combat, can receive a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge.

“The Department of Environmental Protection has a proud history of honoring Florida’s more than 1.6 million veterans and their families,” said Bob Milligan, interim executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “I encourage all Floridians and visitors to the Sunshine State to take advantage of our outstanding Florida State Parks.”

Florida State Parks proudly flies the POW-MIA flag at all 160 parks and supports veterans and members of the U.S. Armed Forces year-round through a variety of initiatives. Florida State Parks works closely with Operation Purple®, a camp program for children of military parents and other regional veterans groups, ROTC programs and military affiliated organizations. Active-duty members of the Florida National Guard, their spouses and minor children also receive half-price entry to Florida’s state parks year-round.

All other use fees, such as overnight accommodations, tours or special events, will be charged as usual on November 11, 2010. Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Petersburg is not included in this special offer.

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