2004 | 2003

March for Parks Success Stories - 2003

Highlands Hammock State Park, Florida

Highlands Hammock State Park held their March For Parks event on April 5th 2003. 1500 participants came to enjoy the park and the fun activities planned for the day. Highlands Hammock State Park had a festival as a fund raising activity with several activities for children and adults such as a bike rodeo, air maze, pony rides, ranger guided tram tours, hayrides, arts and crafts, electric bike rentals, and a community yard sale. The Hammock Inn, which is the park’s concession offered a pancake breakfast special for the March For Parks participants. The event provided the community with education about their local environment, showcased ways to support their park, and helped to impart a sense of stewardship towards the natural resources available to them.

The guided tram tour begins at Highlands Hammock State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park, Florida

Honeymoon Island State Park held a March For Parks event in conjunction with the Suncoast Sandpipers Volkssport Club. The March For Parks event held on March 15th, 2003 included a beach clean-up in Honeymoon Island State Park, a 10 kilometer walk of the park, and a casserole cook-off. The money raised from the cook-off was donated to the Friends of the Island Parks for the construction of a nature education center.

Sweetwater Creek State Park, Georgia

Sweetwater Creek State Park held their March For Parks Event on April 19, 2003. Sweetwater Creek State Park had a Pledge Walk, Exotic Reptile and Native Snake Education Programs, and a Visitor Appreciation Lunch. Several Cub Scout troops cleaned up the trails for Earth Day. The following Saturday the park hosted a children’s fishing rodeo. Sweetwater Creek State Park has a successful turnout of participants to celebrate Earth Day and March For Parks.

Makoshika State Park, Montana

Makoshika State Park held their March For Parks event on April 26, 2003. Sixteen marchers participated in this year’s event to raise $868.69 in pledges for park improvements and interpretive programs. The 4.4 mile walk raised awareness of the importance of open spaces and the enjoyment of the outdoors.

Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania

The Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site held their March For Parks event on March 15, 2003. Several Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and Junior Girl Scout troops gathered to clean up the trails at the site. This event is a great example of community involvement and the spirit of volunteerism.

Claiborne West Park, Texas

Bridge City Intermediate School of Bridge City, Texas held a March for Parks event on May 9, 2003. Their March For Parks event was a tremendous success. The students raised $1,100 to aid in the construction of a nature trail for people with physical challenges. The school and park is hoping to have the trail and interpretive areas completed in time for next year’s March For Parks event.

Ashtabula County Metroparks, Ohio

The Ashtabula County Metroparks’ March For Parks had 40 participants with over 250 sponsors. The March For Parks Event raised $1,703 to be used to purchase park benches for the new Western Reserve Greenway Trail.

Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park, Oregon

The Jacksonville Woodlands Historic Natural Park had a program that concentrated on how Native Americans lived and survived in the Woodlands of Southern Oregon. There was an interpretive hike with about 80 participants and t-shirts were sold to raise money for the park.

March for Parks participants enjoy food, company and the park setting

Marching in the sun

March for Parks Participants pose on a Game Warden's boat.

Marching together