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Praise follows state parks manager north

Friends and co-workers don fish hats and dole out accolades at a celebration of Scott Robinson and his work in local state parks.

By THERESA BLACKWELL
Published July 30, 2005

	[Times photo: Carrie Pratt]
	Scott Robinson takes in the Anclote Key Lighthouse view in March 2002. He oversaw Anclote Key Preserve, Honeymoon Island, Egmont Key Preserve State Park and other areas.
	[Times photo: Ted McLaren]
	Scott and Martha Robinson play along as Sallie Parks adorns them in colorful costumes during a going away party at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin on Wednesday. Robinson has been promoted to senior management analyst for the Tallahassee office of the state Division of Recreation and Parks.

DUNEDIN - The manager's house near the entrance to Honeymoon Island State Park sits vacant. The last family to live there has gone north, though no one will forget the Robinsons any time soon.

Scott Robinson, who managed five state parks in Tampa Bay for 31/2 years, has taken a position as senior management analyst for the state Division of Recreation and Parks in Tallahassee.

Though the number of parks he's involved in will go from five to 159, he promises to keep an eye on projects in progress like the nature center at Honeymoon Island State Park.

"I love our state parks, and I love Florida," said Robinson, 47, who grew up in Hollywood, Fla., and has a degree in parks and recreation from Florida State University. He has been with the parks division for 22 years.

Local officials, Rotarians, Chamber of Commerce members and volunteer groups are grateful to him, not only for what he has done in the parks, but for his involvement and leadership in the community.

"I'm happy for him, but I'm not happy for us," said Sally Hess of Dunedin, president of the Friends of the Island Parks support group.

Starting Monday, Robinson will assist Mike Bullock, the director of the Florida Division of Parks and Recreation, and Larry Perry, the assistant director. Florida State Parks spokesman Matt Mitchell said Robinson will continue at his annual salary of $64,800 for now. Mitchell said Perry will retire at some point, and an assistant to the assistant director is needed now to work on policy and management issues throughout the state parks.

Robinson's new responsibilities will include "a little bit of everything," he said, including issues like habitat restoration and park personnel issues.

Here, Robinson oversaw Anclote Key Preserve, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island, Egmont Key Preserve and Skyway Fishing Pier state parks. Until about a year ago, Robinson also managed Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey.

During that time, he said there were many accomplishments, but two stand out.

"It was great to see the restoration and relighting of the Anclote Key Lighthouse," he said. "That was one of the things I was very proud of."

Another highlight was the future Rotary Centennial Nature Center at Honeymoon Island State Park. When finished, it will feature classrooms and an exhibit hall with displays on topics like marine life and the formation of barrier islands. The Rotary clubs of Dunedin and Dunedin North worked with the volunteer group Friends of the Island Parks to raise money for the project.

Robinson attended the meeting to organize the Friends of the Island Parks more than three years ago. Hess stepped out of the meeting to take a phone call and learned when she returned she had been elected president of the volunteer group. She credits Robinson for the progress with the nature center project.

"It wouldn't have happened without Scott's involvement," she said. "He's been with us from the beginning, with guidance, support and assistance."

Though the state has held interviews, no replacement for Robinson has been named. Hess will hold the new manager to the standards set by Robinson, who was on the board of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Rotary Club of Dunedin.

"He was very involved in the community," Hess said. "He set a good example for those working for state parks."

On Wednesday night, roughly a hundred people gathered in the social center at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church to thank Robinson. From the mayor of Dunedin to representatives of Rotary clubs, the chamber, Friends of the Island Parks, and triathlon organizers, they all had something to say.

"Go ahead, take a hat," said Ann Kennedy of the Rotary Club of Dunedin, offering a fluorescent orange paper hat cut in the shape of a fish. "We're going to miss him so badly."

Before the speeches started, they dressed Robinson and his wife, Martha, as King Neptune and his queen draped in multicolored tulle. Their children, Matthew, 14, and Kati, 11, were not there to see their parents in regalia.

"I don't wear fish hats for just anybody," said Maureen Freaney, Dunedin assistant city manager, impeccably clad in suit and fish hat, as she started her remarks.

Hess said a tree will be planted in honor of Robinson at the new nature center.

"Of all the things you've done, you've actually gotten these two Dunedin Rotary clubs to work together," said Dick Willson, president of the Dunedin Rotary Club. "I think that's quite an accomplishment."

On Wednesday night, roughly a hundred people gathered in the social center at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church to thank Scott Robinson. From the mayor of Dunedin to representatives of Rotary clubs, the chamber, Friends of the Island Parks, and triathlon organizers, they all had something to say.

Lynn Wargo, president of the Dunedin chamber, recalled the discouraging day in April when the wind blew down many of the booths they had just set up for their "Island Fest" fundraiser on Honeymoon Island. Robinson was unfazed, she said, directing the group to start at one end and work together to put it all back up.

As Robinson listened, the praise, more than the costume, settled uncomfortably on his shoulders.

"I'm a little embarrassed to have all the accolades thrown at me," he said. Rather, he said, he felt grateful for the opportunity to work here.

"Don Bergeron and the staff of Honeymoon Island are the ones who have made me look good," he said, calling for a round of applause for them.

"We have loved working here, playing here and living here, " said Martha Robinson.

"We'll be back," she said. "We consider this our home."

Times staff writer Megan Scott contributed to this report.

[Last modified July 30, 2005, 01:09:17]