An $81,000 donation from Ocean Reef Club has helped launch the Friends of John Pennekamp Coral Reef and Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Parks, a new citizen support organization.
The funds, donated by Ocean Reef Club and its Community Association, Conservation Association, and Rod and Gun Club, will be used to replace mooring balls at the reef that were lost in Hurricane Irma, as well as provide several more in the area.
Along with Paul Rice, park manager, the Friends will also work to build a universal access playground at Pennekamp and a boardwalk at Dagny Johnson.
“Many people have asked me why the parks didn’t have a Friends group, so we knew if we put out the call to our loyal supporters, they would make it happen. This is an exciting new effort and we look forward to working with Friends,” said Rice.
More information is at www.pennekampparkfriends.org
— Contributed
