Yes you can (hang in FL state parks)!

**Acer** · 04-26-2012, 09:58

Originally Posted by Cannibal

Excellent!

I'd print a copy of that letter, laminate it, and hang it from the suspension of my hammock.

That was going to be my statement to you as well..keep a copy of that News Release with you and promote good will in hanging.

**Gumbo** · 04-26-2012, 10:49

Absolutely!

Originally Posted by samsara

And a big thanks to Senator Paula Dockery for allowing me to bend her ear out on our hike and take up this issue. Thanks Rachel!

Now, the annual FL hang in January... in a state park?

Dave

**old4hats** · 04-26-2012, 11:10

Originally Posted by kayak karl

at Ricketts Glenn, Pa State Park they gladly let people hammock camp anywhere on site. tents had to be on pad. as of 1/1/12 Hammock Camping will only be done over pad. the mulch pad is 16'-16' and trees 2-3' farther making it almost impossible.

the reason for the change was people were abusing the privilege. clearing areas under hammocks and damaging trees. i talked to ranger and he fell bad that a few ruined it for all, but they are not staffed to police these problem people. im going there Friday and will give trip report.

i said this just to remind people it is a privilege that can be taken away. not all hammockers are on HF and not all follow LNT. we need to set example and teach those we see violating rules.
TY
KK&K
PS i do plan on doing Springer, Ga to South Florida some day

Thanks for posting this, as we seem to be in the area of enjoying privileges, not exercising rights. Respect and moderation must apply.

**Skeeter Magnet** · 04-26-2012, 14:17

This is awesome guys and going to open up many possibilities. I normally have to drive more than an hour to get to a park not controlled by the state but now I have access to the state park that is right near my house. But, lets see if I understand this correctly. Florida is instituting a test program for hammocks in which the park managers choose trees to be designated as "hammock friendly" so to speak and we are to use only those designated trees so that the park service can study any use and abuse in the area. So my question is, are we supposed to contact the state parks before we go to inform them of our use or to ask which trees have been designated?

**JaxHiker** · 04-26-2012, 14:47

I've put a link to a PDF of the statement on my blog.

**samsara** · 04-26-2012, 15:05

Originally Posted by Skeeter Magnet

This is awesome guys and going to open up many possibilities. I normally have to drive more than an hour to get to a park not controlled by the state but now I have access to the state park that is right near my house. But, lets see if I understand this correctly. Florida is instituting a test program for hammocks in which the park managers choose trees to be designated as "hammock friendly" so to speak and we are to use only those designated trees so that the park service can study any use and abuse in the area. So my question is, are we supposed to contact the state parks before we go to inform them of our use or to ask which trees have been designated?

And for now contact the gentleman listed in the statement that I now have quoted in the first post (which I would assume is what Jax has put on his blog).

Dave

**JaxHiker** · 04-26-2012, 15:54

Originally Posted by samsara

And for now contact the gentleman listed in the statement that I now have quoted in the first post (which I would assume is what Jax has put on his blog).

Dave

That's correct.

I also got word that our local people haven't heard anything about it. I directed them to the PDF.

**mbiraman** · 04-26-2012, 17:27

Even tho i'll never get to Florida i'm happy to see things open up for you guys.
happy hangin

bill

**samsara** · 04-26-2012, 17:29

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

That's correct.

I also got word that our local people haven't heard anything about it. I directed them to the PDF.

Don't forget that the word has been sent out to the Park Managers. If they haven't filtered it down to the rangers AND started getting ready to select trees then nobody else down there will know anything. I think that as more calls from hammock folk come in (it's probably best to call the gentleman in the quoted letter) they will get the word down to the bottom faster. I'll probably call my local park manager and offer my help in getting the pilot program implemented locally.

Dave