The oldest underwater national park - Jhon Pennekamp Reef State Park.

The oldest underwater state park, Jhon Pennekamp Reef State Park, is now 50 years old. Located off the coast of Florida near the town of Key Largo in the USA, it was created to protect from destruction the only coral reef in the waters surrounding North America. Earlier, red corals were even extracted using dynamite

ByMarcin Pawelczyk

Published: January 26, 2011 - 14:09

Updated: February 9, 2023 - 10:38

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Earlier, red corals were even extracted using dynamite at this site. “The establishment of Pennekampa Park was a world event. We were followed by others. We are happy that the sea creatures still have their peaceful haven here,” say the keepers of the reserve. The park covers an area of 240 square kilometres.

History
The first plans to create a park in the reef area near Key Largo were made back in the 1930s. In the 1950s, there was a growing awareness among local residents of the need to protect the reef. Underwater life was suffering greatly, mainly due to the extraction of valuable parts of the reef as souvenirs for tourists. In the spring of 1960, the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower, announced the creation of an area under federal control covering the reef area. The name of the park was established by the Governor of the State of Florida. In recognition of John Pennekamp’s contributions to saving underwater life, the park was named John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The park was officially opened in 1963.

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