FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 20, 2012 CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us  FLORIDA STATE PARKS TO HOST FIRST DAY HIKES ~Start 2013 with a hike in Florida's state parks and trails~ TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service invites the public to get back to nature and start the New Year out right by participating in America's State Parks First Day Hikes 2013 on Jan. 1. America’s State Parks First Day Hikes offer individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on Jan. 1 at a state park. First Day Hikes offer a great way to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and welcome the New Year with friends and family. Currently, there are 627 First Day Hikes spanning all 50 states. The Florida Park Service is proud to host more than 60 events, the most of any state. “I encourage Florida families and visitors to begin 2013 in our state parks and enjoy the natural world around you,” said Donald Forgione, Florida Park Service Director. “Join others across Florida and the nation for a First Day Hike as part of a national health and outdoor awareness movement.” Start times will vary by park. Please check the park’s event page for details. The events will take place: Northwest Region Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park 3540 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee Blackwater River State Park 7720 Deaton Bridge Road, Holt Camp Helen State Park 23937 Panama City Beach Parkway, Panama City Beach Grayton Beach State Park 357 Main Park Road, Santa Rosa Beach Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park 4281 State Road 20, Niceville Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 7525 W. Scenic Highway 30A, Santa Rosa Beach T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park 8899 Cape San Blas Road, Port St. Joe Florida Caverns State Park         3345 Caverns Road, Marianna St. Andrews State Park 4607 State Park Lane, Panama City Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park 12301 Gulf Beach Highway, Pensacola Northeast Region Rainbow Springs State Park 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve 12 S.W. 125th Court, Cedar Key Ichetucknee Springs State Park 12087 S.W. U.S. 27, Fort White Manatee Springs State Park 11650 N.W. 115th Street, Chiefland Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park 18700 S. County Road 325, Cross Creek O'Leno State Park 0 SE O'Leno Park Road, High Springs Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park 100 Savannah Boulevard, Micanopy Central Region Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek Preserve State Park 4335 Firetower Road, Haines City Anastasia State Park 1340-A State Road A1A South, St. Augustine Blue Spring State Park 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park 3165 Old King Road, Flagler Beach Colt Creek State Park 16000 State Rd 471, Lakeland De Leon Springs State Park 601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, De Leon Springs Dunns Creek State Park U.S. 17 North, Pomona Park Faver-Dykes State Park 1000 Faver-Dykes Road, St. Augustine Fort Mose Historic State Park 15 Fort Mose Trail, St. Augustine Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach 3100 S. State Road A1A, Flagler Beach Haw Creek at Tomoka State Park 2099 North Beach Street, Ormond Beach Hontoon Island State Park 2309 River Ridge Road, Deland Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park 33104 N.W. 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee Lake Griffin State Park 9 U.S. 441/27, Fruitland Park Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park 8300 W. State Road 46, Sanford Palatka-to-St Augustine State Trail 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka Ravine Gardens State Park 1600 Twigg Street, Palatka Rock Springs Run State Reserve 30601 CR 433, Sorrento St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park 1000 Buffer Preserve Drive, Fellsmere Sebastian Inlet State Park 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach Silver River State Park 1425 N.E. 58th Avenue, Ocala Washington Oaks Gardens State Park 6400 N. Oceanshore Boulevard, Palm Coast Wekiwa Springs State Park 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka Southwest Region Lovers Key State Park 8700 Estero Boulevard, Fort Myers Beach Myakka River State Park 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota Stump Pass Beach State Park 900 Gulf Blvd, Englewood Honeymoon Island State Park #1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin Caladesi Island State Park #1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin Hillsborough River State Park 15402 U.S. 301 North, Thonotosassa Southeast Region Bahia Honda State Park 36850 Overseas Highway, Big Pine Key Fort Pierce Inlet State Park 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce Seabranch Preserve State Park State Road A1A, Stuart Curry Hammock State Park 56200 Overseas Highway, Marathon Hugh Taylor Birch State Park 3109 E. Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale John D. MacArthur Beach State Park 10900 Jack Nicklaus Drive, North Palm Beach John U. Lloyd Beach State Park 6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania Beach Oleta River State Park 3400 N.E. 163rd Street, North Miami Savannas Preserve State Park 2541 Walton Road, Port St. Lucie Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park 1200 S. Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne Long Key State Park 67400 Overseas Highway, Long Key Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail         3 La Croix Court, Key Largo Visit the website for a complete list of special events in Florida’s state parks.

About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails Florida’s 171 award-winning state park and trail properties have inspired residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that helps to strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With 161 parks, 10 state trails, nearly 800,000 acres, 100 miles of beaches and more than 1,500 miles of multi-use trails, visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures. For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org. http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/FLDEP-630550

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