Where would you put a park?

            On this election day I hope everyone has voted for the candidate they believe is best.  After all, it is a myth that this country is run by the majority of its citizens, it is run by a majority of its citizens who participate.  The most common way we participate is by voting, which is necessary, beneficial, and powerful, but hardly the only way.
            Few people know, and even fewer people act on it, but citizens are invited, even encouraged, to comment on everything from the required height of fences surrounding dangerous animals to the amount of mercury that is considered "safe" in our water.  It is in these early stages, when public comment is collected and considered, that so much potential for influence is lost.  It is time for the recent groundswell of public participation in government, illustrated by record turnouts in voting, to spill over into the other responsibilities of citizenship like public comment.
            You can take up this challenge right now on an issue that is important to anyone who recreates in the State of Florida.
            "Florida is a magnet for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, blessed with natural places of great beauty that draw millions of residents and tourists each year.  Florida's state parks contribute to the worldwide allure of The Sunshine State.  Not only do the parks provide access to varied and often unique natural, historic and cultural experiences but they also protect, preserve and maintain a dwindling supply of natural resources for enjoyment today and preservation for tomorrow.
            Because of the State's phenomenal growth, providers of outdoor recreation facilities and services continue to be pressured to meet expanding demand.  A fixed supply of land, water, shoreline areas, and cultural resources suitable for public use combined with fiscal constraints present public land managers with difficult decisions.  State government must exercise a leadership role in coordinating the effective use of Florida's recreation resources.  But recognizing that the State alone cannot provide the volume or variety in types of leisure pursuits that will be needed by its present and future populations, the Legislature has given the Department of Environmental Protection specific responsibility to develop and execute a comprehensive, multipurpose outdoor recreation plan with the assistance of other public recreation land managers."
            The plan is called the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, (SCORP) and it will guide the development of a (hopefully) diverse, balanced, statewide outdoor recreation system toward meeting current and future needs.
            The public is invited to review the plan and submit any comments they might have.  An electronic copy of the draft SCORP may be accessed online at

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/planning/default.htm

            Please direct your comments to Mr. Zack Wetzel in the Office of Park Planning at 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, MS 525, Tallahassee, FL 32399, or by telephone at (850) 245-3051, or by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .   Comments must be received by December 12, 2008.
            The power to influence the State of Florida's recreational landscape is in each of your hands, but you must exercise it.  You elected your legislators, you are their boss, now go tell them what to do.