FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 1, 2005
CONTACT: Matt Mitchell, (850) 245-2501

Anchors Away Program Sets Sail From Oleta River State Park

--Disabled students to learn art of sailing in Florida State Parks--

NORTH MIAMI – Leaders from Miami-Dade County Public Schools kicked off the maiden voyage of the Anchors Away sailing program today at Oleta River State Park. The new recreational boating program will provide sailing instruction for disabled Miami-Dade County public school students on specially-crafted dinghies designed to provide disabled students with the freedom to captain their own boats.

“This program is another example of our commitment to use Florida State Parks as hands-on learning laboratories,” said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. “Providing nature-based recreation opportunities shares the benefits of a healthy lifestyle with our students and communities and builds appreciation for Florida’s environment.”

Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock joined Senator Gwen Margolis, North Miami Mayor Joe Celestin, North Miami Beach Mayor Jeff Mishcon, Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Norman Edelcup, Aventura Mayor Jeffrey Perlow and Miami-Dade County Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Sonia Diaz to christen the ships and lead the students on their maiden voyage.

The Anchors Away program is taking the disabled students of Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Marine Academy out of the classroom and onto the water using specially-designed dinghies. The watercraft will be stored at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and operated from Oleta River State Park as part of the Marine Academy’s sailing program. More boats will be added as donations are received from the community.

Anchors Away is the first step in expanding nature-based recreation and adventure opportunities in Florida State Parks. Focusing on school-aged children, seniors and economically disadvantaged youth, park rangers are designing programs that equip visitors with skills in outdoor activities such as primitive camping, fly-fishing and boating.

Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 158 parks covering more than 700,000 acres. Over the last five years, Florida added eight new parks, more than 203,000 acres and increased attendance at its nationally-renowned park system by five million visitors. In 1999, the Florida state park system was awarded the National Gold Medal for Excellence as the nation’s best park system.