Florida State Park Florida State Park Friends Groups Friends Groups

(Citizen Support Organizations or CSO’s)(Citizen Support Organizations or CSO’s)

o 1985 Florida Legislature authorized the 1985 Florida Legislature authorized the establishment of citizen support establishment of citizen support organizations for individual state parks in organizations for individual state parks in Florida.Florida.

o There are currently 77 chartered CSO’s There are currently 77 chartered CSO’s o They represent 6,000 membersThey represent 6,000 members

Partnership in Parks ProgramPartnership in Parks Program

In 1996 the Florida Legislature sponsored In 1996 the Florida Legislature sponsored legislation to establish the Partnership in Parks legislation to establish the Partnership in Parks program.program. Designed to encourage CSO’s to raise private Designed to encourage CSO’s to raise private

funds for resource management and facilities funds for resource management and facilities development for state parks.development for state parks.

It is a match program where 60% CSO funds are It is a match program where 60% CSO funds are matched with 40% state funds (min. $100k matched with 40% state funds (min. $100k projects)projects)

Partnership in Parks ProgramPartnership in Parks Program

During FY00/01 the CSO’s raised over 2.5 During FY00/01 the CSO’s raised over 2.5 million in funds to support projects in parks.million in funds to support projects in parks.

To date they have committed to raise an To date they have committed to raise an additional 5 million for projects totaling 8.5 additional 5 million for projects totaling 8.5 million.million.

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach$300,000.00 in improvements to the park

Resurfaced a quarter-mile boardwalkInstalled picnic pavilionsSidewalks for ADA access to existing pavilionsPlayground equipment

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

MacArthur BeachMacArthur Beach

Olustee BattlefieldOlustee Battlefield

$ 100,000.00 for the planning and design of a museum for the history of the Civil War.

The museum is expected to cost approx $3.5 million and securing these funds will be the groups next challenge.

Olustee BattlefieldOlustee Battlefield

Olustee BattlefieldOlustee Battlefield

Olustee BattlefieldOlustee Battlefield

Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk

• A historic amusement park that was doomed to extinction until the community asked that the State purchase it and make it into a premiere State Park

• Part of the park was turned into a rehab location for injured animals

• Wildlife exhibits were in need of repair• The Friends of Homosassa have funded an

aggressive program of animal habitats and walkway improvements totaling $ 350,000.00.

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Homosassa Springs Homosassa Springs Wildlife Walk Wildlife Walk

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Barrier Island Park Society funded the development of exhibits at the Boca Grande Lighthouse.

Full restoration of the facility.They now operate the museum and gift

shop and give educational programs on behalf of the state parks.

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Boca GrandeBoca Grande

Frame Work to Financial Frame Work to Financial and Community Support and Community Support SuccessSuccess

VIP mail listsVIP mail listsLocal Legislative Rep.Local Legislative Rep.City Council membersCity Council membersCounty CommissionersCounty CommissionersTourist Development Council membersTourist Development Council membersCEO’s, business owners, Chamber of CEO’s, business owners, Chamber of

Commerce'sCommerce'sEtc….Etc…Etc….. Etc….Etc…Etc…..

Personal invites to:Park eventsCommunity events at the park Park project grand opening ceremonies

Friends or park news letters “Thank you for your support” letters

Frame Work to Financial Frame Work to Financial and Community Support and Community Support SuccessSuccess

Has helped us receive financial funding from neighboring cities for events.

We have received support in tourist tax grants for: Marketing Resource management Facilities upgrades and construction

We have gained great community support from City Council, County Commission and many community groups when we faced impacts from outside influences or threats of closures were realized.

Frame Work to Financial Frame Work to Financial and Community Support and Community Support SuccessSuccess

Legislative Tours Regional tours of Representatives and their aids Sponsored by the Friends groups of the parks visited

Helps us ensure they have a good understanding of what we offer and the needs to continue what we are doing – creates a face with the name (manager and Friends group president and board)

We have had great feed back from the Reps and may have contributed to budget financing.

Frame Work to Financial Frame Work to Financial and Community Support and Community Support SuccessSuccess

Paul RicePaul Rice239-463-4588239-463-4588

paul.rice@dep.state.fl.uspaul.rice@dep.state.fl.us