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DeSantis is waiving all entry fees for Florida state parks during Memorial Day weekend

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park lighthouse is shown Monday, June 8, 2015, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
Alan Diaz/AP
/
AP
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park lighthouse is shown Monday, June 8, 2015, in Key Biscayne, Fla. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Come this Memorial Day holiday, all Floridians will be allowed free entry into any state park.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Tuesday morning the idea comes from wanting to see more families take advantage of Florida’s natural resources.

“It’s important that people have the ability to go out and enjoy our great natural environment," DeSantis said during a press conference in Naples.

Florida residents and visitors will be able to enjoy Florida’s state parks, at no cost, from May 24-27.

“I do encourage Floridians to take advantage, to go outdoors, to visit a state park, they are a gem, they are a resource that we have,” Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez said. “And really, I think spending time with family is so important.”

Gov. DeSantis also announced he’s allocating an additional $15 million to park maintenance and start up more outdoor programs including Florida’s Freedom Summer, in the future.

“Since 2019, we’ve invested more than $440 million in our state parks,” he said. “Because we want to ensure that Florida families are able to enjoy them now and in the future.”

To find a state park near you, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.