UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA STATE PARKS "PET TEST" SURVEY COMPLETED

TALLAHASSEE - A one-year "pet test" survey conducted by the University of Florida for the Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Recreation and Parks has concluded that about 70% of survey respondents in the five test parks (which allowed pets in overnight camping areas for the first time in over 40 years) support allowing pets in state park campgrounds rather than continuing to exclude them.

Under a contract with DEP, researchers Dr. Stephen M. Holland and Dr. Andrew Holdnak of the UF Center for Tourism Research and Development supervised interviews of 486 campers in the test parks to help assess the impact of allowing pets in state parks. Respondents included those who were camping with and without pets. The test parks are St. Andrews State Recreation Area, in Panama City; Ft. Clinch State Park, Fernandina Beach; Tomoka State Park, Ormond Beach; Oscar Scherer State Park, Osprey; and Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound. These parks will continue to allow pets in the campgrounds until the final decision is made. In total, only 45 of Florida’s 151 state park units have campgrounds.

The UF final survey report recommended that consideration be given to allowing pets in some—but not all—state park campgrounds. "Ample opportunities for campers who desire not to camp around pets should be preserved," according to the final report. "Campgrounds should be considered on a case by case basis, care should be taken to protect environmentally sensitive resources, and geographic variety of locations should be provided."

"The report indicates that we need to revisit our rule and consider allowing pets at some camping parks," said DEP Division of Recreation and Parks Director Fran P. Mainella. "We intend to ask the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection to consider a rule change which will allow us to determine which parks are appropriate for allowing pets in the campgrounds."

A management committee will help guide the process. "The committee will consult with our recreational user groups, including camping groups, as well as biologists and other environmental experts. Potential environmental impacts and camper safety and satisfaction will be our paramount concerns as they carefully evaluate each camping park," Mainella said.

A copy of the final UF Pet Test Survey can be obtained by calling 850/488-3300.   It is also available in PDF format at http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/info/pet_test.pdf

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