28-531: Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a 2,241-acre (9.07 km) Florida State Park and National Natural Landmark located 4 miles (6 km) northwest of Fort White off State Road 47 and State Road 238 . It centers around the 6-mile-long (10 km) Ichetucknee River , which flows through shaded hammocks and wetlands into the Santa Fe River . The park contains hardwood hammock and limestone outcrops. Like many rivers in this part of North Florida,
56-508: A much smaller extent charitable contributions. Many state parks have an associated local non-profit corporation. Most parks charge an entrance fee. Residents can purchase an annual entrance pass that is valid at any of the parks. Camping is available in campsites in some of the parks. All reservations for park facilities are handled through the private corporation ReserveAmerica . The Florida State Parks website (floridastateparks.org) provides an updated online guide to all parks. On 19 August 2024
84-582: Is a Florida State Park in Wakulla County , Florida , United States. This 6,000 acre (24 km ) wildlife sanctuary, located south of Tallahassee , is listed on the National Register of Historic Places , and designated a National Natural Landmark . The park draws its name from Edward Ball , the DuPont family financial manager who sold the park lands to the state of Florida. He built
112-656: Is a fishing pier and one is a recreation area. Seven parks are mostly undeveloped with few or no facilities; 10 parks are accessible only by private boat or ferry; and 13 parks contain National Natural Landmarks . Additionally, there are eleven national parks and service sites in Florida locations under control of the National Park Service . Florida State Parks are supported by tax dollars (document stamps), user fees, and to
140-511: Is a mostly nominal admission to nearly all Florida's state parks, although separate fees are charged for the use of cabins, marinas, campsites, etc. Florida's state parks offer 3,613 family campsites, 186 cabins, thousands of picnic tables, 100 miles (160 km) of beaches, and over 2,600 miles (4,200 km) of trails. The Florida Park Service is the division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responsible for
168-490: Is a popular weekend getaway for the students (and faculty) of the nearby University of Florida . Amenities within this state park include restrooms, dressing rooms, a concession stand, nature trails, picnic tables and grills. A 17th century Spanish mission site has been identified in the park, next to a short tributary connecting Fig Springs to the Ichetucknee River, about one mile (1.6 km) downstream from
196-445: The U.S. state of Florida which encompass more than 800,000 acres (320,000 ha), providing recreational opportunities for both residents and tourists. Almost half of the state parks have an associated local 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, often styled, "Friends of { park name } State Park, Inc.". In 2015, some 29,356 volunteers donated nearly 1.3 million hours to enhance the parks for approximately 31 million visitors. There
224-405: The state legislature to increase conservation land, said: "Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. From what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form." Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, said that he had learned from media reports about
252-542: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced plans to build golf courses and 350-room lodges on state park lands. In statements to the Tampa Bay Times and in posts to social media, the agency claimed that the construction of a golf course on vulnerable scrub habitat will be done in a way to "minimize habitat impacts". A spokesperson for Governor Ron DeSantis, Jeremy Redfern, defended
280-589: The Ichetucknee is fed by natural springs which boil up (in various holes) from the aquifer . The state of Florida purchased the property in 1970 from the Loncala Phosphate Corporation for $ 1,850,000. Exploration mining for phosphate began prior to the start of the 20th century, which consisted of mule and wheelbarrow-assisted excavation. Later, boilers, pumps and steam shovels were used to extract ores. Compared to present-day methods,
308-690: The Real Florida." Several state parks were formerly private tourist attractions purchased by the state of Florida to preserve their natural environment. These parks include the Silver Springs State Park , Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park , Rainbow Springs State Park , and Weeki Wachee Springs . There are state parks in 58 of Florida's 67 counties . Nine of the 175 parks do not have "State Park" in their name. Four are " conservation areas " (reserve, preserve, or wildlife refuge); three are "Historical/Archaeological sites"; one
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#1732787051324336-542: The construction of disc golf courses, pickleball courts, and cabins. Three of the affected parks are in the Panhandle district in Panama City represented by state senator Jay Trumbull (R). He wrote on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that he remains in "strong opposition" and exhorted other lawmakers in the legislature to follow suit. Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who has lobbied in
364-446: The director of Florida's state parks between 2017 and 2021, stated that it appeared that the agency sidestepped the legal process. The Times also noted that Albert Gregory, the former state chief of park planning, said the state was "hop-scotching some important steps". Note: The table of contents only applies when the list is sorted by park name. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
392-403: The early phase of mining used were less intrusive. During the 1950s and 1960s, Loncala Phosphate Company owned the land surrounding Ichetucknee Springs. During this time, people discovered tubing, which brought college students from Gainesville to the river and springs to be what became a summer ritual. In 1970, Loncala sold the property to the state of Florida out of concern for the protection of
420-752: The first four-time winner. The parks are open year-round and offer diverse activities beyond fishing, hiking and camping. Many parks offer facilities for birding or horseback riding; there are several battle reenactments; and freshwater springs and beaches are Florida's gems. According to the Florida Park Service website, their goal "is to help create a sense of place by showing park visitors the best of Florida's diverse natural and cultural sites. Florida's state parks are managed and preserved for enjoyment by this and future generations through providing appropriate resource-based recreational opportunities, interpretation and education that help visitors connect to
448-519: The governor and the accelerated process driving state plans to develop golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park . The park, on the Atlantic coast of Florida, contains the largest area of protected scrub jay habitat in southeast Florida. An unusual bipartisan showing of elected officials in the state Legislature, Cabinet and the US Congress expressed opposition to the plans, which include
476-679: The head of the river. The mission has been provisionally identified as San Martín de Timucua , which was occupied in the first half of the 17th century. Plans to reconstruct the mission and open it to the public as an interpretational site were dropped. The park opens at 8 a.m. every day of the year (including holidays) and closes at sunset. The Education and Exhibit Center is open Thursday through Monday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. [REDACTED] Media related to Ichetucknee Springs State Park at Wikimedia Commons Florida State Parks [REDACTED] There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in
504-445: The lodge in 1937. His trust posthumously sold the tract to the state in 1986. Paleo Indians are known to have camped at the spring 12,000 years ago, where they hunted mastodons , bison , and other ancient animals. The bottom of the spring bowl is littered with bones of mastodons, giant sloths , giant armadillos , and camels . Glass bottom boat tours no longer operate due to a decrease in water clarity, but standard boat tours of
532-610: The operation of Florida State Parks , and won the Gold Medal honoring the best state park system in the country in 1999 and 2005 from the National Recreation and Park Association . They were also finalists in the 1997 and 2011 competitions. The Park Service was awarded the gold medal again in October 2013, making it the only three-time winner. In 2019, they received the gold medal award again, resulting in them being
560-575: The park. The tubing season from the North entrance begins on the Friday before Memorial Day. Tubing from the North entrance is closed from the day after Labor Day until the Friday before Memorial Day At the South entrance, the tram service operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Rented innertubes and rafts are dropped off (at the end of the trip) in designated areas at the "take-out" point. This
588-668: The plans, saying "it's high time we made public lands more accessible to the public." DeSantis, an enthusiastic golfer, controls the Department of Environmental Protection, and has increased his influence over the agency in comparison to former governors. In an unprecedented move that critics said violated state law, he unilaterally appointed its secretary without approval by other members of the Florida Cabinet. The Tampa Bay Times also reported that US Senators Rick Scott (R) and Marco Rubio (R) joined local officials in criticizing
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#1732787051324616-474: The spring and river operate all year. Fifty-four archaeological sites have been identified in the park. Excavation of part of the Wakulla Springs Lodge site (8WA329) found successive strata of artifacts from 20th century, Seminole , Fort Walton culture , Weeden Island culture , Norwood culture , Archaic , and Paleoindian occupations. The park has three nature trail systems which lead
644-404: The spring-run ecosystem. After being cleaned and facilities being built, the river and springs were declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972. Park wildlife includes white-tailed deer , raccoons , wild turkeys , wood ducks and great blue herons . There are also fish and reptiles: i.e. turtles , water snakes , American alligators , North American river otters , West Indian manatees in
672-441: The state park development plan, and that he has "serious concerns". He issued a statement saying, "(We) have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure on state parks. Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should." Environmental groups and former park officials agreed that the agency was trying to limit the public comment-gathering process. The Tampa Bay Times reported that Eric Draper, who served as
700-440: The visitor through pine forests , bald cypress wetlands and hardwood hammock . Hikers, bicyclists and horse riders are welcome. The wildlife found in the forest includes white-tailed deer , wild turkey , and many other bird species, while American alligators , bass , gar , various snakes , and West Indian manatee (during the winter) populate the springs , swamps , and river . It contains Wakulla Springs , one of
728-400: The water in this spring-fed river is remarkably clear, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are extremely popular. The river's year-round temperature is 72 °F (22 °C) and therefore makes for a refreshingly cool escape from the hot afternoon temperatures in the region. Tubes, rafts, canoes, and kayaks as well as snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented from private vendors outside
756-430: The winter months, crayfish , bream , bluegill , largemouth bass , alligator gar , mullet , catfish , and several types of minnows . During the summer, one of the most popular park activities is floating down the Ichetucknee River in an innertube . From the end of May until early September, "tubing" down the river is the premier activity in the park. They also offer kayaking and canoeing through in certain areas. As
784-689: The world's largest and deepest first-order freshwater springs and an exit point of the Floridan Aquifer . Wakulla Springs' highest outflow has been measured at 860,000 U.S. gallons per minute (54 m /s). The spring's average flow is about 400,000 US gallons per minute (25 m /s). The opening of the spring is 180 feet (55 m) down, through which cave divers , especially those of the Woodville Karst Plain Project have explored many miles of its underwater tunnels. The spring gives rise to Wakulla River which flows several miles to
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