A new program launched at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota expands recreational and educational activities in Florida State Parks. Through its “GET REAL in Florida State Parks” program the state is forming partnerships with local and county governments. The first project with the city of North Miami Beach involved teaching urban children primitive camping skills at Myakka River. Other partnerships are in the works. Florida State Parks spokesman Matt Mitchell says the REAL in “GET REAL in Florida State Parks” is an acronym for recreational and environmental adventures in learning…

“We wanted to let folks know that there are learning opportunities in state parks. So we welcome the opportunity for people to go out, walk across a sandbar in a state park, walk on a sandy beach or look into one of our beautiful springs, and it’s just fascinating the things that can be learned through interpretive programming of our park rangers and also self-taught guided trips.”

Florida’s 158 state parks cover more than 770-thousand acres. Last year alone, 19.1 million visitors went to the facilities. One of the oldest and largest state parks, Myakka River State Park flows through 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks and pinelands. It offers wildlife observation, hiking trails, airboat tours and safari tram tours. For more information about activities at the parks look on line florida state parks.org.


&segment_program_title=WGCU NEWS&segment_guid=&segment_display_url=http://www.wgcu.org','mywindow','width=355,height=355,resizable=no');">