Hello, folks!
I`m Sandra Friend, Florida author/outdoor writer and host/webmaster of
FloridaHikes.com. Last month I blogged a few times about the potential
state park closures on my site, and while there were a handful of
responses - and private emails about the subject - it has concerned me
that I haven`t see any large citizen groups stepping to the bat to say
something about it online, such as Friends of Florida State Parks. I know it`s the 11th hour *and* the holidays, but given the lack of
effort on anyone else`s part, I`d like to get an organized statewide
discussion going regards WHY the particular parks at risk in your area
are of value to visitors and residents and why they should stay open.
I`m fortunate to know a few Tallahassee insiders and want to keep this
issue in front of their faces; I`ve already emailed called talked to
a bunch of folks and the biggest hurdle to overcome is the lack of
public interest and support, and for that matter, media interest, in
the matter. There are core local groups who are very concerned, but
their voices aren`t being carried across the state. The legislature`s Special Session, which starts Jan 5, could decide the
fate of these state parks immediately. We need to quickly build a case.
I`m pulling together what I have on the hiking & nature side of things
and on tourism (from my travel guides). If you feel you can contribute
to the conversation, or know someone who can, please have them email me
immediately at this address. I will be out backpacking between Dec 28 and Jan 2, and before I leave I want to get as many people set up as possible with blogging accounts on this site I`ve set up today to get the word out: http://floridahikes.com/stateparkissues/ Thank you so much for your interest, and please pass this along to
anyone who might help build a case to keep our state parks open! This
affects state parks in the following counties: Escambia, Santa Rosa,
Walton, Bay, Franklin, Jackson, Wakulla, Leon, Jefferson, Taylor,
Nassau, Putnam, Alachua, Levy, Pinellas, Manatee, Polk, Okeechobee,
Highlands, and Monroe. If you`re not familiar with the specific list of
parks that are proposed to close, see
http://floridahikes.com/stateparkissues/parks-affected/ Best regards, Sandra Friend
http://www.floridahikes.com
http://www.sandrafriend.com (Editor`s note: Sandra Friend encourages anyone who`s interested in our special park to get in touch with her right away and blog about the museum and its rich history. Get in touch with her at one of the addresses beneath her name so she can set up a blogging account. Sandra has agreed to come to the Cedar Key Library soon to talk about the unlimited possibilities for hiking, backpacking and camping in our beautiful state.) |
