Fall Hikes & Halloween Frights at Florida State Parks

A Newsletter of Florida State Parks  |  #FLStateParks October is Greenways and Trails Month! The upcoming Fall weather invites you and your family to hit the trails this month!  A trail for biking, hiking and horseback riding, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River.        "The importance of Greenways and Trails throughout the state is the connectivity they provide both recreationally and ecologically," says Cross Florida Greenway Manager, Mickey Thomason. The corridors facilitate wildlife and provide economic enhancements to local communities. "They promote more active lifestyles while providing alternative forms of transportation for both human and animal travelers alike."           Along with the Greenway, visitors can also trek nine multi-use trails, spanning over 70,000 acres from Milton to Key Largo, Florida.       While you cannot go wrong with a traditional hike or bike ride, take on the trails with a sense of adventure! Try geocaching, a treasure hunting game using GPS to hide and seek containers of goodies. Are you looking for speed and thrill? Try roller-blading along our paved trails! Want to take it slow? Pick up a bird or wildlife identification guide and search for sights along the trails' edge.           The Office of Greenways and Trails maintains an online Trail Guide with information about land and water-based trails across the state. Celebrate Greenways and Trails month with your family, friends and pets!   This Month at State Parks, Trails and Historic Sites Collier-Seminole Campground We are pleased to announce the reopening of the Collier-Seminole State Park campground! With new additions and improvements, this park is ready for your Fall or Winter camping trip! Collier-Seminole has some of the most diverse wildlife viewing opportunities in the Florida Park System, with elements of tropical, salt marsh and cypress swamp habitats. Come see what’s new at Collier-Seminole State Park campground while enjoying a piece of Old Florida.  Firsthand Florida Fun: The Barnacle When Commodore Ralph Munroe moved to Miami, he met every resident in the county in one day! Learn more about Florida history in this edition of theFirsthand Florida Fun blog. The Barnacle Historic State Park is a lush urban park tucked beneath the palms of Coconut Grove, Florida. Watch Erika Z.'s Youtube video and plan your trip to this park today! It's Children's Health Month October is Children's Health Month. Did you know that 1 in 3 children are considered to be overweight or obese? In partnership with the Florida Dept. of Health, we urge you to encourage healthy eating habits with our Healthy Campfire Cooking Recipes.   Research suggests children who spend more time outside tend to be more physically active, and playing in nature also influences creativity, problem-solving and emotional and intellectual development.   Events in October Guided Paddle Hillsborough River State Park, ThonotosassaSaturday, Oct. 8, 2016, 8:30 - 11 a.m. Take a leisurely 90-minute paddle down the Hillsborough River and learn about the natural history and ecological communities which make the Hillsborough River watershed so unique and important. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or rent one from the park. >> View Event Moon Over Maclay Jazz Concert Maclay Gardens State Park, Tallahassee Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016,  6 - 9 p.m.  Enjoy an evening of jazz and lively flamenco sounds under a full moon on the lawn of the historic Maclay House. Performers include the Maharajah Flamenco Trio,the Brain Hall Quintet and Avis Berry, a Tallahassee favorite. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students with ID and children under 12. >> View Event    Haunted Hammock Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring Friday and Saturday, Oct. 15 - 16, 2016, 5:30 - 10 p.m. Join us for fun and thrills at the 4th Annual Haunted Hammock event at Highlands Hammock State Park. Ride the Terror Tram, play carnival games, enter the costume contest, make a Scarecrow and more!Families with young children can enjoy a non-scare area early in the evening >> View Event         5th Annual Tomoka Fall Fest Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Come see Smokey Bear, live critters, living history re-enactors, guest speakers, authors and storytellers and much more at Tomoka Fest! Rangers and exhibitors will teach us about prescribed fire and native plants and animals.There will also be Halloween-themed activities for kids, tram rides, a guided native plant hike and food for purchase. >> View Event Make a Difference Day The Barnacle Historic State Park, Miami Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Join Park Rangers and The Barnacle Society for a morning of park cleanup, landscape beautification, and exotic plant removal by beautiful Biscayne Bay. The Barnacle Society will provide lunch and a complimentary tour of the historic house for registered volunteers. Participants will also be granted free same-day park entry. >> View Event         Other Important News Gift Cards Now Available Give the gift of sleeping under the stars in Florida State Parks! Florida State Parks offers Gift Cards which can be used to make reservations for camping and cabins at participating Florida State Parks. Mobile App for Smartphones Plan your state park adventures using the new Pocket Ranger® app for your smartphone. The FREE Florida State Parks Pocket Ranger® mobile app is available now on iTunes, Android Market and PocketRanger.com Sunsect Sunscreen + Insect Repellent Get 2-in1 protection with Sunsect! Trusted by the U.S. military for 15 years, it repels insects and provides 15 SPF coverage.   Get Your Annual Pass Today Shop our online store at Shop.FloridaStateParks.org for annual passes, passports, shirts, water bottles, backpacks and more.

SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Manage Preferences  |  Delete Profile  |  Help CHECK OUT DEP'S ONLINE NEWSROOM

http://live.oysterradio.com/