Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
Encyclopedia
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a 144 acre (0.58274784 km²) Florida State Park
located at Flagler Beach
, between the Atlantic Ocean
and the Intra-Coastal Waterway on SR A1A
. It is about 18 miles (29 km) north of Daytona Beach
and about 30 miles (48.3 km) south of St. Augustine
. The park is named for Gamble Rogers, a Florida folk singer
. On October 10, 1991 Gamble Rogers was camping in the area. In response to child's plea for help he attempted to rescue a Canadian tourist in heavy surf and riptides of Flagler Beach. Both Rogers and the tourist drowned. The park was created by the Florida legislature, in honor of this Florida folk singer/guitarist.
, picnic
king, swimming, fishing
, and beachcombing
. Visitors can also enjoy sunbathing, bicycling, canoeing
, boating
, and wildlife
viewing. Between May and early September, Loggerhead
, Green
and Leatherback
sea turtles are among the wildlife of the park.
Amenities include 34 campsites overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, boat ramp and boat basin with access to the Intracoastal Waterway, picnic tables, a large picnic pavilion, a mile long nature trail, the beach and hiking trails.
Florida State Parks
The Florida State Parks encompass the majority of the lands that fall under the authority of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There are 160 such entities, including nature reserves, recreation areas, and historic sites, which can be found in every corner of the state...
located at Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach, Florida
Flagler Beach is a city in Flagler and Volusia counties in the U.S. state of Florida. The population was 4,954 at the 2000 census, with an estimated population of 5,228 in 2004.Flagler Beach is part of the Palm Coast Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, between the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
and the Intra-Coastal Waterway on SR A1A
State Road A1A (Florida)
State Road A1A is a Florida State Road that runs mostly along the Atlantic Ocean, with sections from Key West at the southern tip of Florida, to Callahan, just south of Georgia. It is the main road through most oceanfront towns. SR A1A is designated the A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Highway, a...
. It is about 18 miles (29 km) north of Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
and about 30 miles (48.3 km) south of St. Augustine
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is a city in the northeast section of Florida and the county seat of St. Johns County, Florida, United States. Founded in 1565 by Spanish explorer and admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, it is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city and port in the continental United...
. The park is named for Gamble Rogers, a Florida folk singer
Folk Singer
Folk Singer is a 1964 album by Muddy Waters. Waters plays acoustic guitar, backed by Willie Dixon on string bass, Clifton James on drums, and Buddy Guy on acoustic guitar...
. On October 10, 1991 Gamble Rogers was camping in the area. In response to child's plea for help he attempted to rescue a Canadian tourist in heavy surf and riptides of Flagler Beach. Both Rogers and the tourist drowned. The park was created by the Florida legislature, in honor of this Florida folk singer/guitarist.
Recreational activities
Activities include coastal campingCamping
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...
, picnic
Picnic
In contemporary usage, a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors , ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance,...
king, swimming, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and beachcombing
Beachcombing
Beachcombing and beachcomber are words with multiple, but related, meanings that have evolved over time.A beachcomber is someone who "combs" the beach, and the intertidal zone in general, looking for things of value, interest or utility....
. Visitors can also enjoy sunbathing, bicycling, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, boating
Boating
Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...
, and wildlife
Wildlife
Wildlife includes all non-domesticated plants, animals and other organisms. Domesticating wild plant and animal species for human benefit has occurred many times all over the planet, and has a major impact on the environment, both positive and negative....
viewing. Between May and early September, Loggerhead
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The loggerhead sea turtle , or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to have been discovered...
, Green
Green Sea Turtle
The Green sea turtle or green turtle is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
and Leatherback
Leatherback Sea Turtle
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest of all living sea turtles and the fourth largest modern reptile behind three crocodilians. It is the only living species in the genus Dermochelys. It can easily be differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its...
sea turtles are among the wildlife of the park.
Amenities include 34 campsites overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, boat ramp and boat basin with access to the Intracoastal Waterway, picnic tables, a large picnic pavilion, a mile long nature trail, the beach and hiking trails.