FSU, UCF Fans Get into Florida State Parks for Half Price All Month

Florida State and University of Central Florida football players can't say their state government doesn't appreciate the nail-biting bowl games they gave us.

Florida is saying "congratulations" and "thanks" by giving their fans half off the price of admission to all state parks in January.

It's the way the Florida Park Service wants to celebrate FSU's BCS National Championship win and UCF's Tostitos Fiesta Bowl win.

All fans have to do to enter a park for half-price is wear FSU or UCF hats or shirts; or students can simply show a current ID. The offer is good for day-use of Florida state parks on Mondays through Thursdays.

FSU and UCF are winners, just like the state parks, said Donald Forgione, director of the Florida Park Service. So its only natural that the state parks cheer on these bowl wins along with fans. The players and coaches of Floridas universities work hard and we are applauding their success.

Half-priced admission is good at all state parks except Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The offer does not include additional usage fees, special events or Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20.

In October, the Florida State Parks System had its own big win, when it was awarded a third Gold Medal of Excellence from the National Recreation and Parks Association. This makes Florida the first three-time gold medal award recipient. Since 1935, the Florida Park Service has provided recreational activities, while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources.

To find out a listing of the amenities for a state park near you, visit the Florida State Parks website, or download the official Florida State Parks mobile app.