Our Impact
Bike Trail Maintenance
The Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park has a large following of passionate mountain bikers and award-winning riding trails! As such, we have to keep those trails maintained. Using shovels, rock tools, and heavy equipment, volunteers and staff maintain these trails. The maintenance is not cheap. We rely on donors like you to help us keep our mountain biking trails in tip-top shape for all to enjoy.
Paved & Unpaved Trail Maintenance
Everyone loves the trails in the park. Jonathan Dickinson State Park boasts 6 different walking trails, a multi-use trail for walking and bicycles, and mountain biking trails for our thrill seekers! But those trails can't cut themselves! All of the trails are maintained by the park staff and the Friends. Supplies can be costly, especially for clearing large areas or downed trees, so the Friends provides the funding needed to support those efforts so everyone can enjoy a freshly groomed trail every time they go out!
Plant Community Restoration
Years ago, before Jonathan Dickinson State Park was established, it was ravaged by industry, war, and logging. As the local areas of Jupiter and Hobe Sound grew into what they are today, the local plant communities suffered, including species such as bald cypress and eelgrass. Today, The Friends are reestablishing these plant communities by providing free public tree-planting events and fundraising for each tree planted. See the Fundraising Programs tab for more information!
Educational Program Support
The Kimbell Education Center offers a wide range of public programs, including youth education, natural history, Scrub Jay walks, animal education, and fun events for adults. The programs are, for the most part, provided to the public at no cost, but they do incur a fee. Part of the funds the Friends raise through our membership programs, events, sponsorships, and general fundraising goes toward these programs to provide the public with free, engaging education. Nature and education are priceless and should be enjoyed by all.
Staff & Volunteer Support
Jonathan Dickinson State Park has some incredible staff and volunteers! We cannot tell them every day how much we truly appreciate them and what they do for our community. In our thanks, The Friends supplements state funding to help meet staff needs. This includes vehicle maintenance, general park maintenance, staff and volunteer appreciation dinners and luncheons, project supplies, and much more. We would not be able to provide this service without the generous donations and support from our community, YOU!
Community Engagement
Everyone loves our local events, including us! From The Jupiter Jubilee to MacArthur Beach State Park's NatureScaping, you will find The Friends out and about, educating people about our programs and mission to support our state park through community engagement. We love seeing familiar faces and also meeting new ones! The support from local businesses and other not-for-profits means the world to us, and we thank all of them for allowing us to be part of their events.
Public Accessible Wi-Fi
The Kimbell Education Center provides not only amazing stories, outstanding educational programs, and friendly staff and volunteers, but also FREE, accessible Wi-Fi for visitors and campers alike. Service availability in state parks varies by location; our park is no different. The Friends provide the Wi-Fi needed to support the Education Center in all of its endeavors.
Camping Area Laundry
We love our campers! Jonathan Dickinson State Park has some of the best tent and RV camping in the area! That said, camping can be a messy, dirty experience. The Friends provide coin-operated washers and dryers in both camping areas within the park! We know how important it is for you to keep your clothes and gear clean, and we want you to, too! The washers and dryers are available to tent and RV campers year-round.
Outdoor Accessibility
Through generous donations from our community, The Friends purchased our Track Chair. This Track Chair allows those with mobility challenges to enjoy the outdoors again. Our chair can navigate both paved and unpaved trails in and around the Kimbell Education Center. Nature is a gift everyone should be able to enjoy to the fullest.