October 5, 2007 - Florida State Parks Celebrate Disability Awareness Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 5, 2007
CONTACT:
Katie Flanagan, (850) 245-2149, (850) 778-6965 (cell)
Chris Cate, (850) 245-2112, (850) 519-9546 (cell)
FLORIDA STATE PARKS CELEBRATE DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH
--DEP highlights "Access for All" efforts--
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks are celebrating Disability Awareness throughout the month of October. The Division of Recreation and Parks has committed to ensure its facilities, programs and services are accessible to and usable by all people, including those with disabilities. Access for All, the Division's commitment to providing resource-based recreation to everyone, is the theme for October's state park celebration.
"The Division's goal is to provide equal access to all facilities and programs within the state park system," said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. "Accessibility awareness training for staff members, nature trail assessments and park facility evaluations are part of the Division's efforts toward Access for All."
On National Disability Mentoring Day, Wednesday, October 17, DEP's Florida State Parks are partnering with the Florida Statewide Disability Mentoring Day Planning Committee which includes The Able Trust, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the Florida Commission for Transportation Disadvantaged and Volunteer Florida for a job shadowing opportunity to mentor individuals with a disability.
"During the month of October, I challenge Floridians to become more aware of disability in their community: whether by hiring a person with a disability, getting to know someone with a disability more closely, or simply researching a particular disability to learn more about it," said Jane Johnson, Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. "Your life will be enriched by the experience."
National Disability Mentoring Day, sponsored by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), began in 1999 to increase the profile of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, celebrated every October. A national partnership between the AAPD and the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy, Disability Mentoring Day provides employers with opportunities to help mentees with disabilities build confidence about their own employability, share firsthand job experiences, develop lasting relationships and gain access to a pool of new emerging talent.
Other accessible and inclusive opportunities in state parks include:
Anastasia State Park
Enchanted Forest
Thursday, October 25 and Sunday, October 28, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Anastasia State Park and the Friends of Anastasia State Park are hosting the annual Enchanted Forest, a scare-free walking loop accessible for those with mobility impairments. The forest is filled with magical fairytale scenes, music and sparkling lights, great for young children and light hearted adults. This event is held at the St. Augustine Amphitheater. Admission is $4.00 with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Anastasia State Park.
Anastasia State Park
Haunted Hayride
Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Anastasia State Park and the Friends of Anastasia State Park are hosting the annual Haunted Hayride, welcoming persons with disabilities. Those with mobility impairments can choose to be transported without their mobility device on the hayride, or with their mobility device via an accessible tram.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
Haunting of Fort Taylor
Sunday, October 28, 4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Monday, October 29 through Wednesday October 31, 7:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Old gun rooms inside historic Fort Taylor will be transformed into a haunted maze for the annual event. Scenes will depict documented hauntings of Key West and Fort Zachary Taylor. Recent upgrades throughout Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park enable persons with disabilities to have easier beach access, additional parking and better access to areas including the butterfly garden sunset viewing and fishing area, nature trail and picnic areas. Information Kiosk print size has been increased and an easy to read menu has been made available at the concession. Plant interpretive signs have also been added to an accessible trail that winds through a native plant area of the park. Beach wheelchairs and regular wheelchairs are available to visitors. For more information and to help arrange a visit, call (305) 292-6713.
Hillsborough River State Park
A River Runs Through It
Saturday, October 27, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Along with Disability Awareness Month, Hillsborough River State Park will celebrate Hillsborough River Watershed Awareness Week with nature-based activities accessible for persons with disabilities. Presentations, workshops, and educational displays will highlight the Hillsborough River's recreational opportunities such as canoeing and fishing. Attendees will experience environmental exhibits, Florida-friendly landscaping, workshops, music and more. Event participants will have the opportunity to sign a watershed pledge and commit to behaviors that foster watershed protection and water conservation. For more information, call (813) 987-6771.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Fall Gardening Workshop
Wednesday, October 10 and Wednesday, October 17, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Park Gardening Supervisor Marion Knudsen will lead a workshop on how to use low-maintenance native plants and xeriscaping to conserve water resources. The workshop will be held in the Children's Activity Center, which is accessible for persons with disabilities. Please make reservations in advance by calling the park. For more information, call the park office at (352) 628-5343.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Birding Program
Saturday, October 27, 8:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (Meet at 7:45 a.m.)
Novice and experienced birders are invited to take a guided bird tour on Pepper Creek Trail. This leisurely-paced tour is on an accessible paved trail winding through a hydric hammock along Pepper Creek. This event is free to the public and participants may bring binoculars and a birding field guide. Other accessible features within the park include wheelchair accessible trams and paths through the wildlife park. For more information, call the park office at (352) 628-5343.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Haunted Tram Rides
Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28, 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
The park will offer accessible haunted tram rides down Pepper Creek Trail featuring spooky scenarios, a Haunted House for children, Halloween costume contests for children, refreshments, souvenirs, clowns, face painting and a child identification program by the Citrus County Sheriff's Department. Tram rides are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. Haunted House admission is $1.00 per person. For more information, call the park office at (352) 628-5343.
Oleta River State Park
Haunted Halloween Event
Thursday, October 26 and Friday October 27, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Ride the accessible hayride or walk through the Haunted Forest and meet ghosts, goblins and other creatures of the night with tricks and treats for everyone. A suggested minimum donation of $ 3.00 per person will benefit the park's Citizen Support Organization, the Oleta River Adventure Association, to support park programs and future events. For adventurous mountain bikers, there will be a night ride on our famous mountain bike trails. Riders must provide their own lights. Kayak tours are available with reservations. For further information, contact Blue Moon Outdoor Center at (305) 957-3040.
Silver River State Park
Phantoms in the Forest
Saturday, October 27, 7:00 p.m.
Silver River State Park, the Friends of Silver River State Park and the Ocali Storytelling Guild are hosting an evening of spooky storytelling, presented verbally and by a sign language interpreter. In addition, the third annual family-fun event will be held in an area accessible for those with mobility impairments. Park admission is free for this event with donations accepted.
St. Andrews State Park
Nature's Gallery Festival
Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St. Andrews State Park and The Friends of St. Andrews State Parkare hosting a fall festival welcoming persons with disabilities. Park admission is free with donations accepted. Nature's Gallery is a celebration of the environment and the arts in the natural setting of the park. Visitors can enjoy living history exhibits, music, children's activities, educational displays, an Artist's Market and a wide variety of food vendors.
St. Andrews has accessible campsites, beach wheelchairs and one fully accessible beach use area, located adjacent to the jetties. Popular park features, such as the Jetties Beach Area and "Kiddie Pool," offer accessible parking, bathrooms and covered picnic pavilions. For more information, call (850) 233-5140 or (850) 233-5117.
The Agency for Persons with Disabilities currently serves about 35,000 Floridians with developmental disabilities of mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and Prader-Willi syndrome. For more information on the agency, call 1-866-APD-CARES or visit www.apd.myflorida.com.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the nation's best state park service, Florida's state park system is one of the largest in the country with 161 parks spanning 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida's rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida's state parks offer year-round outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida's unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida's cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida State Parks, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org .