NAPLES, FL—Governor Ron DeSantis announced a twofer celebration beginning on Memorial Day, first removing all entry fees for state parks for Memorial Day weekend, and kicking off the state's "Freedom Summer", exempting sales taxes for nearly four months.
"Because we want as many people to be able to enjoy this as possible, for the entire Memorial Day weekend we are suspending all entry fees for all Florida state parks," DeSantis said Tuesday at a Naples press conference. "It'll entice more people to get out and enjoy the great outdoors."
Over 32 million people visit Florida state parks every year, and this brief fee removal lasting from May 25th to May 28th may facilitate and maximize an even greater number of state park visitors, allowing people to both enjoy nature and boost the economy.
DeSantis acknowledged that Florida state parks are the "best" in the country, pointing to the National Recreation and Parks Association handing the Sunshine State four gold medals for superb management, services, and "long-range planning."
"That's more than any other state," DeSantis announced, noting no other state has earned the medal more than once.
Memorial Day also marks the first day of DeSantis' "Freedom Summer", a sales tax holiday program he began last year stretching from Memorial Day through Labor Day estimated to save taxpayers more than $241 million.
The program removes sales taxes on outdoor recreational supplies, such as camping and fishing gear as well as life jackets, bug spray, surfboards, and coolers. It also exempts sales tax on certain entertainment events, like museum and state park tickets, sporting events, live music, and gym memberships.
