Celebrate The Great Outdoors @ Your Library

Every June, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable coordinates Great Outdoors Month, a nationwide, month-long celebration of outdoor recreation and America’s parks, wildlife refuges, forests, monuments, marine sanctuaries, waters, national conservation lands, and other natural treasures. It encourages activities such as hiking, camping, and paddling while raising awareness of environmental stewardship and outdoor accessibility.

Whether we hike or bike the trails, kayak or canoe the many rivers and canyons, or pitch a tent in the forest or on a hillside, Great Outdoors Month is an excellent time to head outside and enjoy nature. Depending on where we live, reaching nature can be more difficult. Many cities and counties create relaxing green spaces with trails and paths designed for easy community access; however, sometimes access to parks or the ability to get outside the city to visit State or National Parks is difficult.

Last year, as a birthday gift to myself, I purchased a National Parks Lifetime Pass. Alongside my library card, it is one of the most valuable cards in my wallet. After exploring the library’s shelves for books about the parks and recommended sights or trails, and checking the Library of Things for Adventure Packs, telescopes, or metal detectors, I was ready for my adventure. You don’t need to travel far for a day, weekend, or simply for some fun and adventure.

Right in your backyard in St. Johns County, you have unparalleled access to some of Florida’s most pristine natural landscapes. Whether you want to paddle the saltwater marshes or explore coastal hammocks, June is the perfect time to get outside. Here are just a few ideas and local spots to enjoy Great Outdoors Month:

• Paddle the Intracoastal: Drop your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard at one of the local boat ramps to explore the waters along the Matanzas River or Salt Run.
• Walk or Bike the Trails: Head over to the Guana Tolomato Matanzas Research Reserve in northeast St. Johns County to enjoy multi-use trails through maritime hammocks and estuarine tidal marshes.
• Anastasia State Park: This renowned park spans over 1,600 acres and features beaches, tidal marshes, and nature trails. It is ideal for birdwatching, surfing, and beachcombing.
• Faver-Dykes State Park: Located a short drive south, this 6,000-acre park is a hidden gem for kayaking and fishing along Pellicer Creek, a designated Florida paddling trail.
• Matanzas State Forest: Perfect for hiking, cycling, and primitive camping along the river and wetland areas.
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument: The site of the oldest masonry fort in the United States, built by the Spaniards to protect the city of St. Augustine, this national park spans 25 acres and features educational displays and picnic areas.
• Fort Matanzas National Monument: Located in southeastern St. Johns County, this park preserves the fortified coquina watchtower, completed in 1742, which defended the southern approach to the Spanish military settlement of St. Augustine. It also protects approximately 300 acres of the Florida coastal environment, including dunes, marshes, maritime forests, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. The fort can be reached only by ferry.
• St. Johns County offers a variety of parks that provide recreational opportunities, natural beauty, and community engagement for residents and visitors alike.

It’s been proven that exercise and spending time outdoors are beneficial to our physical and mental health. So, no matter how you choose to enjoy the great outdoors – hiking, biking, kayaking, to name a few – nature is calling. I hope you will check out the many outdoor resources available through your local library or bookmobile, then pursue the beauty and majesty of the beautiful skies and open spaces the great outdoors offers.