Free admission during National Park Week

Jeffrey Edel, U. S. Park Ranger and Historic Weapons Supervisor at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, reminds Historic City News readers that April 16th through April 24, 2011 America’s 394 national parks and national monuments will celebrate National Park Week.

This year’s schedule allows two weekends to come out and discover, or re-discover, 84 million acres of the world’s most spectacular scenery, historic landmarks and cultural treasures.

St. Johns County is fortunate to have two national monuments; Castillo De San Marcos National Monument and Fort Matanzas National Monument. Other national parks and monuments in Florida include:

Big Cypress National Preserve Ochopee, FL
Biscayne National Park Homestead, FL
Canaveral National Seashore Titusville, FL
De Soto National Memorial Bradenton, FL
Dry Tortugas National Park Key West, FL
Everglades National Park Homestead, FL
Fort Caroline National Memorial Jacksonville, FL
Gulf Islands National Seashore Gulf Breeze, FL
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve Jacksonville, FL

Enjoy free admission all week long when you visit any of America’s national parks. National Park Week is an opportunity for all Americans to experience and enjoy the majesty of the national park system — to hike, learn, share, and give back.

April 23rd is Junior Ranger Day. You will find that many National Parks offer students the opportunity to join the National Park Service Family as Junior Rangers.

From time to time, special Junior Ranger Programs are scheduled at Castillo de San Marcos.

Interested students complete a series of activities during their park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge or patch and Junior Ranger certificate.

There is a limit of 25 students per program. Check with the park office for details.