Parks

50% Discount for Florida State Park Passes and FWC Hunting and Fishing Licenses

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Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the Great Outdoors Initiative to encourage Floridians to go outdoors and explore Florida’s natural resources, including our award-winning state parks, vast recreation areas, and world-renowned waterways. As part of the Great Outdoors Initiative, Governor DeSantis signed Executive Order 23-209 (The Great Outdoors Initiative) directing the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and … Read more

10 Florida Keys State Parks Wide-Open Spaces & Scenery

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Ten secluded Florida Keys State Parks throughout the 125-mile-long Florida Keys include the Keys’ most scenic wide-open spaces for social distancing, solitude and outdoor recreational activities such as hiking, swimming, snorkeling and paddling.  Florida state parks offer some of the destination’s best and most secluded beaches, fishing, boating, scuba diving and kayaking. These parks are … Read more

Harry Harris Park Updates – Fees

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Florida Keys residents headed to Harry Harris Park may be asked for address information beginning Saturday. A gatehouse at the entrance to the popular oceanfront park is expected to be staffed Oct. 5, with out-of-county residents charged for admission. Non-residents will be charged $5 per person. Boaters living outside the Keys will be charged $30 to … Read more

Abandoned Places – Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park

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As you head south to Key Largo, Dagny Johnson Hammock Botanical State Park sits along the east coast — boasting stunning jungle-like views and coastal sightlines; but if you venture to the right spots, you can find some cool abandoned buildings to explore. In order to explore some of these locations, you’ll have to acquire … Read more

Live-aboards Not Wanted at Rowell’s Park in Key Largo

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No live-aboards should be allowed to dock at the future redeveloped Rowell’s Waterfront Park, but a splash pad for children would be widely welcomed. Those were two main takeaways from a county-hosted public input meeting held last week. Neighboring residents asked Monroe County officials to implement the same ban on live-aboards accessing the park that … Read more

Celebrations Highlight Florida Keys Earth Day 2018

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Every day is full of natural wonders throughout the Florida Keys, known for their sweeping, scenic backdrops of earth, sea and sky. Throughout April, Keys visitors and residents can celebrate Florida Keys Earth Day with unique outdoor activities to be experienced only in the Florida Keys. This year’s Earth Day is Sunday, April 22. The Florida Keys & Key … Read more

Checking in at Bahia Honda State Park

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Bahia Honda State Park is making a graceful comeback following Hurricane Irma. The park was in the path of the dreadful northeast quadrant of the powerful Category 4 storm that devastated the Florida Keys in September 2017. Although much of the native vegetation perished in the storm, the trees and plants that survived are growing … Read more

National Key Deer Refuge Offering Free Guided Nature Excursions

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The Florida Keys Wildlife Society, a friends group for the Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex and the National Key Deer Refuge, kicks off this season’s full moon kayak excursions Monday, Jan. 29, departing at 4 p.m. from Big Pine Kayak Adventures on Bogey Road. The two-hour paddle traverses through the National Key Deer Refuge. … Read more

9 Florida Keys State Parks Remain Closed

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Nine Florida Keys State Parks remain closed, due to Hurricane Irma damage, until further notice, Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials said Monday. Those Monroe County parks are: • Bahia Honda • Curry Hammock • Dagny JohnsonKey Largo Hammock Botanical • Fort Zachary Taylor Historic • Indian Key Historic • John Pennekamp Coral Reef •  Lignumvitae … Read more

Key Largo Rowell’s Waterfront Park Development Discussed

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The Monroe County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board will meet at 6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 28, to discuss how the county is planning to move forward with the development of Rowell’s Waterfront Park. Park designers S&ME, formerly known as Little John Engineering, will be on hand to answer any questions the public may have. “This … Read more