30-614: Silver Springs State Park , formerly known as Silver River State Park , is a Florida state park located on the Silver River in Marion County . The park contains Silver Springs , Florida's first tourist attraction . The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In 1985, the state purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993,
60-508: 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
90-481: A popular annual attraction in the area. The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round. The gate remains open until 10:00 pm on Fridays for campers. Florida state park [REDACTED] There are 175 state parks and 9 state trails in 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
120-484: 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 the Real Florida." Several state parks were formerly private tourist attractions purchased by
150-582: 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
180-656: 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
210-633: Is run by the Marion County Public School System in cooperation with the Florida Park Service. The center has a village of restored or "newly built" 19th-century farm buildings (houses, meeting house, sheds, blacksmith, etc.) and a museum on the natural and social history of the area. Used during the week by the school district for classes, on the weekends, it is open to the public. One week, early in November,
240-661: Is the division of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection responsible for 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
270-405: 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
300-542: 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
330-486: The Silver River State Park. The same year, Marion County Schools constructed the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center on the property. Little else was at the park until 1999, when the state began construction on a ranger station, campground, and kayak launch. In 1993, the state purchased Silver Springs with the ultimate intention of taking it over. The previous owners continued to operate
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#1732771806172360-458: The attraction under lease. It went through several operators before Palace Entertainment took over management of Silver Springs Nature Theme Park in 2002. In January 2013, after years of declining profits and increasing environmental problems, the state took over control of the park, releasing Palace Entertainment from their obligations. The same year, they merged Silver Springs into Silver River State Park, creating Silver Springs State Park. Among
390-481: The center also puts on the Ocali County Days as a fund raiser. This is a 19th-century, living history event with displays, talks, and performances incorporating living historians. For that Tuesday through Friday, it is open to public, private, and home schooled children and their teachers, who have made reservations with the center. The event is open to the general public on Saturday and Sunday and has become
420-542: 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
450-453: The descendants of monkeys used to enhance the scenery for the Tarzan movies that were shot in the area in the 1930s is not true, since no Tarzan movie filmed in the area featured rhesus macaques. The monkeys are allowed to live in Florida, due to their contributions to science. The diversity of this waterway is among the highest in Florida. Since becoming part of the Florida state park system,
480-446: 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
510-470: The former Silver Springs Nature Theme Park. Other activities include bicycling, canoeing , kayaking , camping , and wildlife viewing. Amenities include a museum and an environmental center that are open on weekends and major holidays. The park has 15 miles (24 km) of trails, access to the Silver River , 10 luxury cabins, and a 59-site, full-facility campground. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center , with educational facilities,
540-519: 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
570-466: The increased interest and reduced barriers to entry have brought many new visitors to the park. The damage to the river grasses and wildlife is a real concern. Silver Springs, located in the park, drains into the Silver River , a 4.5-mile (7.2 km) stream that flows east from the springs to the Ocklawaha River . Glass-bottom boats are located within the park and are based at the site of
600-445: 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
630-460: The only three-time winner. In 2019, they received the gold medal award again, resulting in them being 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
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#1732771806172660-668: 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
690-474: 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
720-492: The state acquired Silver Springs, as well, though it continued to be operated privately. In 2013, the state took over control of Silver Springs, merging it with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park. In 1985, the State of Florida purchased about 5,000 acres of undeveloped land around Silver Springs to keep it from being developed. The land was turned over to the Department of Recreation and Parks in 1987, creating
750-530: 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
780-441: 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
810-623: 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 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
840-440: 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
870-465: The wildlife of the park are nine-banded armadillos , white-tailed deer , wild boars , wild turkeys , foxes , American alligators , Sherman fox squirrels , and gopher tortoises , as well as coyotes , bobcats , and Florida black bears . Also, a colony of non-native rhesus macaques were introduced to the park in early 1938 by a tour boat operator, known locally as "Colonel Tooey", to enhance his "Jungle Cruise" ride. A local legend that they are
900-689: 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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