Visit state parks – while you still can

Remember when you ended up stopping at a state park and it had one of those honor system pay booths; you weren’t carrying any cash and machine wouldn’t take an ATM, so you did the less than honorable thing and went in anyway, without paying?

Do you remember your conscience tugging at you, at least until you found a parking spot? How’s your conscience now?

Last week Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection in an effort to help reduce the state’s $4 billion shortfall proposed closing 53 of Florida’s State Parks. The closings would shut down nearly one-third of the state’s 160 park system, but those 53 parks account for only five percent of visitations to the parks statewide. The closures could save the state $6.5 million.

Fort Mose in northern St. Augustine and Washington Oaks in northern Flagler County are two local state parks that are on the list for possible closure. Other options might be to hand the properties over to local governments or civic groups to operate, or have some parks available only on weekends.

The fate of Fort Mose, the first free black settlement in what would eventually become the United States, will most likely be taken over by the city of St. Augustine or become part of the county’s park system.

But with the acquisition of various properties recently, including the M&M Market for $300,000, the city should be able to easily get control of Fort Mose.

The fate of Washington Oaks State Gardens could be a little more complicated, but it is highly unlikely the gardens or any state park properties will be sold off for development. Although Washington Oaks does sound like a housing subdivision from the 70’s, it will probably remain in government or community control.

It will take months, if not longer, for Florida lawmakers to decide what to do with each of the parks. So this spring get out with the family and experience some of the less popular state parks while you still have a chance.

Just don’t forget to bring some cash.

Jason Smith
St. Augustine

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer