Florida Parks Nominated for National Honor

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced on Monday that the Florida State Parks are a finalist for the 2013 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park Recreation Management by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

More than 20 million people visit our award-winning state parks each year to enjoy the beauty of Floridas beaches, springs, rivers and wooded areas, said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard on Monday. Governor Scott and I once again congratulate DEPs Florida State Parks for being named a National Gold Medal Finalist, as our Florida State Parks continue to show off the vast natural resources that our state has to offer.

Florida is battling Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia for the award which will be presented in Houston in October.