Learn More About
Our Projects
Your membership and donations support a wide range of projects that help our parks thrive! We are creating a new, accessible playground for all families to enjoy, supporting our native plant nursery in its efforts to restore the forest, and installing a new boardwalk trail at Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. Additionally, we are installing mooring balls to protect the coral reef from improper anchoring. Your contributions make these vital initiatives possible and ensure our parks continue to flourish.
If you would like your donation to be dedicated to a specific project, please email president@pennekampfriends.org with that information.
Mooring Bouys
Protecting Coral Reef Habitats with Bouy Installations at John Pennekamp State Park
Now, we’re looking to raise an additional $100,000 to support future mooring buoy installation in the park.
Protecting the coral and seabed in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is an urgent, critical and ongoing priority. The Friends of Pennekamp is deeply appreciative that a consortium of organizations comprised of the Ocean Reef Conservation Association, Ocean Reef Club, the Ocean Reef Community Association and Ocean Reef’s Rod & Gun Club provided funding for a major project to install mooring buoys within park waters in 2020.
Donations totaling $81,000 enabled the park to work with noted aquatic restoration firm Sea and Shoreline to install eighteen individual mooring buoys, allowing boats and vessels to tie up to the buoys versus using anchoring methods that damage the reefs.
Playground
A New and Improved Playground
Talk with anybody who has visited John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and they’ll tell you stories of their experiences they enjoyed with their family. As a world destination park, we seek to create the most memorable family experiences possible to grow an appreciation for our beautiful Florida Keys ecosystems.
The current playground at the park is in need of replacement, and a new and improved playground has been designed to replace it. The new playground will be located next to Grouper pavilion over the wooden bridge, across the street from the current playground’s location. The playground features custom park-specific climbers, a soft surface for children to run on, and will be fenced in. Additional educational signage will be tied into the playground area, making it a fun and educational space for families to make memories.
Native Plant Nursery
Support Our Native Plants
Your donations and memberships also support the native plant nursery for Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This nursery is run by volunteers and supplies native plants for restoration projects up and down the Florida Keys and for native plant giveaways to Monroe County residents. The volunteers who work in this area of the park are a wealth of knowledge to which there is no comparison!
The Friends of John Pennekamp support the native plant nursery by purchasing items they need like tools, pots, potting soil, and more. Donate today to support our native plants!
Resource Management Vessel
Help Us Sail into a Sustainable Future for John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly impact the future of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. Every dollar brings us closer to acquiring the vessel that will propel our conservation efforts into new horizons.
Welcome to the heart of marine conservation at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park! Our commitment to preserving the breathtaking coral reefs and marine life is unwavering, but we need your support to continue this vital work.
Our current vessel has faithfully served us for many years, enabling our dedicated team to maintain mooring balls, monitor coral health, and engage in essential conservation efforts. However, as we strive to expand our reach and enhance our capabilities, it’s time to set sail towards a new chapter.
Your Membership and Donations Support this Project!
Help us preserve and protect the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of Pennekamp State Park. Your donation supports vital conservation efforts, educational programs, and park improvements.
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