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FRIENDS OF ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK

"CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK"

We are Friends of St. Andrews State Park
We are nature lovers, families, artists, beach walkers, photographers, retirees, bird watchers, writers, who 
volunteer our time to help support the Park.

FUNDRAISING - SPEAKERS - EVENTS - MEETINGS - BONFIRES - PARTIES

Thank you to our speaker:  Jim Arendale

​We had a wonderful presentation last night. Jim Arendale, a board member and photographer, gave a talk on photography with a focus on equipment and wildlife in the park. It was fantastic to see so many members again. We had a packed room. A huge thank you to all the board members and park staff for getting everything ready to go. We look forward to seeing everyone at our annual Christmas party on December 8th at 6:30 in our Friend's Building. Bring a side dish or dessert to share. And remember to renew your membership online or at the party. Thank you for supporting our park.

15 New Trees Planted in Campground

More improvements to the campground as 15 new trees were professionally planted Tuesday.  The funding came directly from memberships and donations to Friends.  We could not do this without your support.  Please consider joining Friends of St Andrews State Park, even if you aren't local.  The money stays in the park and is used to improve all aspects.  If you are a member, you can renew your membership for 2023 now.  You can get all the information on our website.  Thank you for helping make our park the best in the state!  http://www.friendsofstandrews.org/
MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PARTY - JOIN US!!!
 Membership Program and Speaker - Nov. 17th

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!!!

Thank you to the Bay County Astronomical Society!!
. . .and our members who attended!!
New Snake Enclosure at the Visitor's Center
. . .Made possible by a donation to Friends. . .

NEW PLAYGROUND

A photo of the commemoration of the brand new playground in St. Andrews State Park.  This was a collaboration between the St. Joe Community Foundation and the Friends of St. Andrews State Park. Pictured are April Wilkes of the St. Joe Community Foundation, the board members of the Friends, the park manager and staff.  
Friends purchased this new ATV for the St. Andrews State Park which was badly needed.

Thanks everyone who joined us tonight for our Friends bird walk event at St. Andrews State Park and a special thank you to Mary Jo Capra, for leading us in this event.  

EVENT DATE:  MAY 25TH, 5PM
LOCATION:  GATOR LAKE
​EVENT:  FRIENDS BIRD WALK

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

COME SEE US AT OUR BOOTH 10:00-4:00PM 
http://www.earthdaybaycounty.com/
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR  EARTH DAY VOLUNTEERS!! 
WE HAVE THE BEST!!!

2022 CHILI COOKOUT

MUSIC:  BEACH UKULELE MUSIC SOCIETY
Wonderful Chili Cookout with fantastic live entertainment from the Beach Ukulele Music Society!  Thank you to everyone who performed and supported our event!!  It was a great way to kickoff the newly renovated Group Campground at St. Andrews State Park and CONGRATULATIONS to all our new members!

THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO JOINED US FOR OUR FIRST MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM FOR 2022  

Thank you to presenter Ricky Cassell! 
OUR NEW 2022 BOARD MET TOGETHER TO PLAN FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR
CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT FRIENDS! 

1ST ANNUAL ST. ANDREWS STATE PARK RUN/SUP SPLASH & DASH

THANK YOU ALL  PARTICIPANTS, SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS!

SPLASH & DASH 

CHECK OUT OUR SPLASH & DASH RADIO COMMERCIAL BEACH 95.1 

KICKING OFF OUR PADDLEBOARD DONATION RAFFLE! 
Boardmember Karen Fitzsimons officially announcing the Raffle has started today!
​​PADDLEBOARD DONATION RAFFLE!!
WINNER:  LEAH FIELDS

 Congratulations to our Paddleboard winner, Leah Thomas (below).
And a huge "thank you" to all who purchased tickets AND to the Florida State Park  for donating the Paddleboard.
​We raised $1500 to keep our beautiful Park the best in Florida.

Leah Thomas (left) and Kim Hardin, our Boardmember presented the winner with a brand new
10 ft. long Rigid Paddleboard with paddle, bag, sunglasses, hat, towel and booklet. 

JOINFRIENDSTODAY
The Friends of St. Andrews State Park, Inc. is a nonprofit citizen support organization formed in support of St. Andrews State Park. The Friends members work to support the Florida State Parks mission “to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources.” We have been actively assisting the Florida Park Service with this mission since 1991. 
​CSO Adopted Code of Ethics:  www.floridastateparks.org/content/cso-model-code-ethics ​
BOARD MEMBERS:  KIM FITZSIMONS, DAVID BROOKS, KIM HARDIN 
SELLING NEW T-SHIRTS, HATS, PADDLEBOARD TICKETS & MEMBERSHIPS!!  
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS TO FRIENDS!!!
T-SHIRTS & HATS HAVE ARRIVED!  WE'RE SELLING THEM!!

New Aquarium purchased for the Visitor's Center by Friends

PARK FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
Phase 1 (Completed)       Phase 2 - Ongoing 
An exciting announcement:
The Board identified a goal to replace the children’s playground in the Park. Due to age and destruction from Michael it was removed and therefore there is no playground in the Park. We initiated a fund raising campaign, including applying for grants.
We are delighted to announce that the St. Joe Community Foundation awarded us a $69,000 grant. What a wonderful commitment to our park and community.
This means that Phase 1 of our goal can be accomplished. We will continue to raise funds for Phase 2 to provide additional play activities, benches at the edge of the playground, and other enhancements for children and visitors. We will keep you informed of progress and look forward to your ongoing support.
Below is the check presentation by April Wilkes from the Foundation to members of the board and LeAnn Hinson, Assistant Park Manager. 
Thank you to BEACH 95.1 for their $1000.00 Donation to Friends of St. Andrews State Park for the Children's Playground at the Park!   The donation will include approx. 100 - 30 second commercials or approx.. 60 - 60 second commercials. We are beyond grateful!  Thank you again to BEACH 95.1!!  LISTEN BELOW:
 ​

  .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    . Exciting Plans for St. Andrews State Park .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .    .  

Planning for enhancements to the Park began before Hurricane Michael. Obviously, the hurricane changed priorities to massive clean up and repair.  According to Scott Robinson, Park Manager, plans are now moving ahead.  Processes are taking longer due to the pandemic and economy, but are moving along.
All the roads are to be redone and with a bike path and pedestrian path added.  This major project will also include improvements to the entrance area and expansion of existing parking areas. Surveys have been completed and work is under way on the design for construction.
The campground area upgrades, a multimillion dollar project, will include raising sites to reduce flooding, new water and electricity throughout, newer sewer connections at sites, new lift stations and repaving the roads.  Bids have been received, a contractor selected and work should begin in the next 6 months.
Pavilions at the Jetty area will be rebuilt including three large ones and one small one, plus new picnic tables.  It is currently in the design and permitting process and should begin in the next few months.
The Lagoon area was hard hit by the hurricane.  Several new pavilions will be built for the picnic area.  Plus, the bathrooms there are scheduled for a totally new facility.  This work should start by early next year.  The children's playground in that area will need to be completely replaced.  Friends of St. Andrews State Park is helping with the fund raising for that project.
Improvements are also scheduled for the Primitive Group Campground, including a new restroom, a dining/activity pavilion with some safety lights and fans, picnic tables, grills, and rebuilding the firepit.
Finally, so many trees were lost and mother nature will help replace the forested areas.  In the developed areas of the Park, news trees will be planted as construction ends. 
Yes, an exciting time!  We all love the park and let's all work together to help the park.  Volunteers are needed for picking up litter, helping to disinfect, helping with the aluminum can recycling project, etc.  You can also help by joining Friends and making a donation to Friends for the playground project.  www.friendsofstandrews.org.
Let's work together for our park now and its bright future ahead !  Parry Knauss, President, Friends of St. Andrews State Park

The Park Needs You, Please Join

We invite you to design your own membership.  
Some busy members choose to express their support through annual dues only.
Others devote many volunteer hours to the park, and find time for socializing, relaxing, and enjoying the result of their labors while building new friendships within the Friends.
Volunteers are needed for our special events, recycling, work projects, meeting and greeting, and more. Special event volunteers can serve on the planning committees, run errands, assist with preparation and set-up, or work the event.  
​The Friends Board of Directors meet monthly and all members are invited to sit in and observe those meetings.  General member meetings consist of one Annual Meeting and other meetings as needed.  Meetings usually include interesting speakers and light refreshments.  Special member and volunteer events include a Christmas party in December and a Chili Cookout usually held in March.
Member Benefits: Members enter the park free of charge for all meetings and events and work projects.  In addition, each member is allowed free entry to the park 12 times during the membership year.
 
"So proud to be a member of this group that works effortlessly to raise money exclusively for our beautiful St. Andrew's State Park. We need your help with our ongoing projects for all to enjoy, please visit our page and become a member today!"      -Karen Fitzsimons, Volunteer board member, Nature Photographer 

​ Supporters of Friends of St. Andrews State Park