Item B4
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: May 21, 2003
Division:
District 1
Bulk Item: Yes
No
Department: Mayor Dixie M. Spehar
AGENDA ITEM WORDING:
Proclamation proclaiming the month of May 2003 as Florida State Parks month
ITEM BACKGROUND:
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes
No
AMOUNT PER MONTH
Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty
OMB/Purchasing _ Risk Management _
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL:
~ )JJ \;~)
Mayor Di Ie M. Spehar
DOCUMENTATION:
Included
To Follow
Not Required_
AGENDA ITEM ##
DISPOSITIuN:
Revised 1/03
Jlapor's
l'roclamation
WHEREAS, Florida's massive and diverse State Park system has over 600,000 acres and 158
parks and has received National recognition for its State Parks Partnership, its cutting edge resource
management, its nature and heritage tourism program and its environmental education value; and
WHEREAS, Florida's beautiful State Parks are vital to the environmental, economic and resource
management goals of the state while providing a relaxing outdoor experience for visitors; and
WHEREAS, Florida's State Park system not only preserves these pristine, natural areas forever, it also
has a growing positive economic impact on Florida's local communities, which totaled $551 million last year, and
WHEREAS, local State Parks, such as Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West;
Bahia Honda and Curry Hammock State Parks in Marathon; Long Key, Windley Key, Indian Key and
Lignumvitea Key State Parks in Islamorada; John Pennekamp Coral Reef, Overseas Heritage Trail and
Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock State Parks in Key Largo have 78 employees, 1,930,693 annual
visitors, an economic impact of $67,774,897 on the local economy and offer numerous features including
an historic Civil War fort, an historic Indian site, exceptional beaches, coral reefs, camping, cabins, picnic
shelters, fishing, diving, pristine natural areas, and other natural and cultural resources resulting in
substantial enhancement of the quality of life for our citizens; and
WHEREAS, 78 citizen support organizations and 6,000 volunteers support Florida's State Park
system and volunteers last year provided 906,000 hours of service, the equivalent of 435 full-time
employees allowing Florida's State Park system to provide more services with fewer programs; and
Wt'EREAS, Florida's State Park system had 18 Million visitors last year from throughout Florida, the
United States, the world and attendance at Florida's State Parks is growing with the worldwide boom in
nature and Heritage tourism; and
WHEREAS, Florida's State Parks are engaged in hundreds of partnerships with national and local parks in
Florida to make these invaluable resources available to Florida's citizens and visitors;
NOW, THEREFORE, by the power vested in me as Mayor of Monroe County, Florida, I do hereby
proclaim the month of May, 2003 as
FLORIDA STATE PARKS MONTH
and encourage all citizens to enjoy, protect, and support Florida's beautiful and diverse State Parks in
May 2003 and in the years to come so future generations of Floridians and visitors may also enjoy and
learn about Florida's unique, natural and cultural heritage through these priceless areas.
WITNESS my hand and seal of the County of Monroe, Florida, this 21" day of May 2003.