TALLAHASSEE— The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service will begin a new promotion, Go Play Weekday, starting Monday, January 18, 2010 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Throughout the year, Go Play Weekday specials will highlight parks in each region of the state. During the promotional months, visitors pay 75¢ admission Monday through Thursday at featured state parks.

“Since 1935, millions of visitors have experienced the magnificence of Florida’s white sandy beaches, vast open prairies, lush semi-tropical forests, cultural sites and crystal clear springs at Florida State Parks and we are proud to celebrate this milestone,” said DEP Deputy Secretary for Land and Recreation Bob Ballard. “Affordable family friendly activities such as swimming, hiking, bicycling, paddling, diving, fishing, camping, birding, events and ranger-led tours are just a few ways people enjoy our natural resources.”

The first of several promotions planned in celebration of Florida State Parks’ 75th Anniversary, Go Play Weekday allows residents and visitors to explore featured parks for a ‘trial size’ price. The price is right for budget watchers, home schoolers and anyone ready for some outdoor recreation.

The Panhandle is the first area to be highlighted in the Go Play Weekday promotion. The six featured state parks offer bluffs, beaches, trails, rivers and lakes that provide ideal locations to hike, camp, fish, ride bicycles and enjoy the cool weather.

Parks offering entrance for 75 cents beginning Monday, January 18, 2010 through February 25, 2010, include:

1. Blackwater River State Park, Holt
2. Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach
3. Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach
4. Falling Waters State Park, Chipley
5. Three Rivers State Park, Sneads
6. Torreya State Park, Bristol

How it works: Mention ‘Go Play Weekday’ at the ranger station to get the special price. If the park has an honor box, just write ‘Go Play Weekday’ on the envelope and put in 75¢ instead of the full fee.

Promotions will change throughout the year, so check for updates on the Florida State Parks Web site at www.FloridaStateParks.org or follow state parks on Twitter at http://twitter.com/FLStateParks.

Created in 1935 by the Florida Legislature, Florida State Parks has grown from eight to 160 parks over the last 75 years. Today, the Florida Park Service manages more than 700,000 acres of Florida’s natural environment, including 100 miles of beaches, eight National Historic Landmarks and 39 sites on the National Register of Historic Places. Florida State Parks has been recognized by the National Recreation and Park Association as the nation’s first and only two-time Gold Medal winner for the nation’s best park service.

Find events, promotions, activities and ideas for recreation at Florida State Parks by visiting www.FloridaStateParks.org. Learn more about the history of Florida’s state parks at www.floridastateparks.org/history. For more information, go to the Go Play Weekday promotion at http://www.floridastateparks.org/twitter_goplay.pdf