St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department Inducts Beverly Fleming into Hall of Fame Ahead of Parks and Recreation Month

• 17 June 2025
• Category: SJC News Parks and Recreation
• Tags: 2025

County Naturalist Fleming served the department for over 10 years

At the regular St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, June 17, the St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department inducted Beverly Fleming into its Hall of Fame and recognized July as Parks and Recreation Month.

The late Beverly Fleming was inducted for her years of dedicated service to Parks and Recreation and her community, working as St. Johns County’s first county naturalist at the Trout Creek Community Center for over 10 years. After moving to Florida in the 1970s, Fleming’s passion for wild Florida led her to become a self-taught naturalist and botanist while living on a property by the St. Johns River.

Fleming even rehabilitated injured animals when they crossed her path. Her owl Sam, who could not be released due to injuries, was one of these rescues. She was instrumental in the founding of the Friends of Alpine Groves Park and an active member of the reenacting community in the Bartram Scenic Highway area where she lived and worked.

“Beverly Fleming was someone who inspired everyone she came into contact with during her time with our department,” Parks and Recreation Assistant Director Jamie Baccari said. “You can’t begin to count the number of people who met her and felt motivated to learn more about the natural world and their local ecosystem.”

July’s Parks and Recreation Month celebration is an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association. NRPA’s theme for 2025 is “Build Together, Play Together,” and St. Johns County Parks and Recreation has planned a whole month of events and programs that will let residents of all ages and abilities celebrate the important role the department plays in building a sense of togetherness and community.