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As far back as we can remember, people and preservation have gone hand in hand. People have the power to preserve natural wildlands like Highlands Hammock State Park for generations to come. This park was acquired and opened to the public in 1931 through the effort of local citizens and a generous benefactor, Margaret Shippen Roebling. When the Florida State Park Service was created in 1935, Highlands Hammock became one of the first parks. The park today continues to be supported by caring individuals through the Friends of Highlands Hammock Citizens Support Organization.
 The Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park is a non-profit corporation which functions as a citizen support organization (CSO) regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Our purpose is to generate and employ additional resources and support for and in the best interests of Highlands Hammock State Park. We accomplish this through special events, outreach programs, educational activities and communications, special exhibits, interpretive programs, fund raising activities and events, and guided tours and other activities and events designed to meet the additional areas of park needs. The members are volunteers who have an interest in preserving our natural resources and wildlife as well as improving Highlands Hammock State Park.
The CSO has many fund raising efforts currently underway including six outdoor concerts per year, T shirt and gift shop sales, firewood sales, tram tours, and memorial boardwalk plaque sales. We also participate in Earth Day, the Civilian Conservation Corps Festival, and the Turkey Trot which is a 5K run on Thanksgiving Day. All of the money we raise is used for improvements to the park.
The CSO board meets the second Monday of each month at 5:30 at the park to discuss up-coming events and ideas for fund-raising. We also receive a park report from the park manager Steven Dale at that time. Members or those interested in becoming a member of the Friends organization are welcome to attend the meetings. Anyone interested in joining the CSO can support the park by being a working volunteer or simply a silent member. In return for your membership you will receive our newsletter and you get free admission to the park 12 times a year. .
Please consider becoming a member and supporting our beautiful Highlands Hammock State Park.
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Sponsorship of the Dick Brown Memorial Turkey Trot 5k Race is a typical Friends activity. Other such programs are the very successful Music In The Park Series, Earth Day Recycle Sales, Volleyball tournaments, art auction, golf tournaments, NACCCA Festival, and silent auctions.
 Other Recent Contributions
- Promotion and sale of plaques for Recreation Hall Windows; Cypress trail handrails and benches.
- Design and construction of a permanent stage and backdrop for park events.
- New refrigerator, stove and microwave for Re recreation Hall kitchen.
- Sale of firewood in the park from a trailer pulled through the campgrounds.
- Provided financial assistance to the renovation of the CCC museum and renovations to other park facilities, equipment, and recreational areas.
- Purchased recycle containers for visitor trash disposal
- Purchased new washer and dryer for the campground visitors.
- Music In The Park presented the popular California Toe Jam Band
And even more!
We have designed T shirts, hats, visors, mugs etc. promoting the park and have arranged for their display and sale. We purchased a scanner for park AV work; new computer equipment for park management use; bought equipment for a ranger fitness program.
We have prepared and sold desserts, snacks and coffee at park events. We have acted as ticket takers and helped with parking control. Friends members have provided help with concert set-up and tear-down assistance and acted as Master of Ceremonies at special events and some of us have acted as doscents at the CCC museum.
 As community members, we love our park and continually promote the activities and the benefits of our park to our fellow citizens.
A note to out seasonal visitors: Did you know that you can participate in the good works of The Friends Of Highlands Hammock State Park wherever you live through your modest membership fees ? Even if you only visit the park just for camping on your vacation, you can still be a supporting member. See "Join The Friends" below. |
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