What a Summer!

Throughout July, St. Johns County residents came together to get outside, try something new, spend time with family, and celebrate the many ways parks and recreation strengthen our community.

From fishing and paddling to popsicles, pirates, superheroes and outdoor adventures, Parks & Recreation Month was a success because of you.

At the St. Johns County Parks Foundation, we were proud to support St. Johns County Parks & Recreation throughout the month while connecting businesses, donors and community partners with opportunities to support the parks and programs that serve our residents.

A Month Powered by Community

This year’s theme, The Power of Parks & Recreation, was on full display throughout St. Johns County.

Families explored the outdoors. Kids discovered new activities. Residents connected with one another. Parks became places to play, learn, gather and make memories.

Throughout the month, residents had opportunities to participate in everything from geocaching and beach cleanups to shark tooth exploration walks, fishing, paddling, family bingo, themed parties, Popsicles in the Park and more.

Behind those experiences were dedicated Parks & Recreation staff, volunteers and community partners working together to make them possible.

Community Partners Making an Impact

Parks & Recreation Month also gave us an opportunity to see what can happen when local businesses choose to give back.

Unsportsmanlike Adventures Fishing Charter returned as a community partner for the Reel in the Fun – Kids Fishing Tournament, generously donating a fishing charter experience for the tournament’s first-place winner and giving one young angler an opportunity to continue their adventure on the water.

King of Pops Ponte Vedra joined families at the fishing tournament and donated 20% of event sales back to the St. Johns County Parks Foundation. Families got to enjoy a summer treat while helping support the Foundation’s work throughout our community.

We were also excited to welcome Dogtopia St. Augustine as one of our newest Park Partners. Their support is another example of a local business investing in the parks, programs and recreational experiences that contribute to a strong and healthy community.

Welcoming ToyTopia as an Annual Corporate Giving Partner

One of the exciting partnerships to grow during Parks & Recreation Month was with ToyTopia, a beloved local toy store and longtime part of our community.

ToyTopia joined the St. Johns County Parks Foundation through our Annual Corporate Giving Levels, making a philanthropic contribution to support our work throughout the year.

Annual Corporate Giving allows businesses and organizations to make charitable, tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation that help sustain year-round programs and community initiatives and make parks and recreation more accessible and enjoyable for residents across St. Johns County.

These gifts are charitable in nature, with recognition provided simply as acknowledgment of a company’s support.

We’re incredibly grateful to ToyTopia for choosing to invest in our mission and help strengthen public recreation in our community.

Why Partnerships Matter

Our public park system is an important community resource, and philanthropy gives residents and businesses another way to be part of its future.

Through the generosity of businesses, donors, organizations and volunteers, the St. Johns County Parks Foundation can help support recreational opportunities, inclusive programs, community events, access initiatives and future park enhancements.

Every contribution, partnership and volunteer helps us continue building connections between residents and the parks and programs available to them.

And Parks & Recreation Month showed just how powerful those connections can be.

Thank You, St. Johns County

To the Parks & Recreation staff who created and led these experiences, the businesses and organizations that supported them, the volunteers who gave their time, and every family and resident who showed up and participated: thank you.

You helped make Parks & Recreation Month a success.

But July was never meant to be the end of the story.

The Power of Parks Continues

Parks & Recreation Month may be over, but the work continues year-round.

The St. Johns County Parks Foundation works alongside St. Johns County Parks & Recreation to bring together private philanthropy, community partnerships, donors and volunteers in support of public recreation.

There are many ways to be part of what’s next — from becoming an Annual Corporate Giving Partner or sponsoring an upcoming Foundation event to volunteering, participating or simply helping us share our mission.

THE POWER OF PARKS CONTINUES.

Your support strengthens public recreation.

RESTORE. REIMAGINE. RECREATE.

Interested in getting involved or learning more about partnership opportunities? Contact the St. Johns County Parks Foundation at info@sjcpf.org.