Dr. Beach - Gulf County, Florida - Cape San Blas, Port St. Joe, Indian Pass, Wewahitchka, Mexico Beach

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PRESS RELEASE
EMBARGO DATE: MAY 24, 2002 (9:00 a.m.)

St. Joseph State Park Tops Dr. Beach's 2002 America's Best
Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman reveals the St. Joseph Peninsula State Park as the best beach live on NBC's TODAY Show.

Port St Joe, May 24, 2002:
     For those in attendance, excitement built, as Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman announced that St. Joseph Peninsula State Park ranked NUMBER 1 on his list of America's Top Beaches 2002. The secret is out and world is being exposed to what the locals have know all along….WE HAVE GREAT BEACHES! The park regularly makes the list of Top 10 Beaches in the country, and has placed number 2 for the past two years. As vacationers seek refuge from the hassle of day life a true refuge is getting harder and harder to find. Seclusion and pristine surroundings area major draw to our area and a visit to St. Joseph will tell you why. The snow-white sand from the beach has been blown by onshore winds into the anchoring sea oats to produce some of the largest sand dunes in Florida. Wooden walkovers take you across these magnificent dunes, which are 30 to 40 feet high. The aquamarine water is crystal clear and the surf is normally low, making for excellent swimming. Perhaps the best news of all is the peace and quiet that can be enjoyed on this secluded, 2,500-acre beach park.
      We are so pleased and proud of what the St. Joseph Park has done for Gulf County's tourism market. It is a tremendous asset that has greatly enhanced our efforts in promoting Gulf County as a vacation destination. The staff is to be commended for their dedication to making our Park the best.

Mother Nature put it here but Anne Harvey and her staff have done incredible jobs in fine tuning it for the publics use. The park is a delicate balance of public recreation and wilderness conservation. Currently both are thriving.
     "This declaration will certainly increase our already inclining visitor numbers," states TDC Director Paula Ramsey Pickett. "Timing is everything and with such a strong marketing emphasis being placed on drive destinations, (due to 9/11) we could not have timed it any better. For the past several years the number one ranking has gone to beaches in Hawaii. It is comforting that vacationers won't have to board a plane to visit with us. "
     For more information on the St. Joseph Peninsula State Park or any other Gulf County tourism inquiries you may contact the Tourist Development Council at 800-482-GULF (4853) or visit their website at www.visitgulf.com. Dr. Leatherman's America's Beast Beaches, 2002 can be viewed at www.drbeach.org.