25-548: Wekiwa Springs State Park is a 7,000-acre (28 km) Florida State Park in Apopka , Florida . It is located 20 minutes north of Orlando , off Interstate 4 at exit 94, near Altamonte Springs and Longwood . The park also contains the head water of the Wekiva River . It also serves as the headquarters of one of the state's five AmeriCorps Florida State Parks chapters. Although the springs are spelled Wekiwa Springs,
50-493: A distant parking lot at Sand Lake within the State park. The area around the spring is largely undeveloped and has acres of untouched Florida Ecology. Among the wildlife of the park are coyote , rabbit , deer , gray fox , bobcat , raccoon , opossum , alligator , and black bear . Fishing is permitted, as well as canoeing and snorkeling . However, SCUBA and specifically cave diving are not. The cave has been explored in
75-534: A foot to five feet, and a small 15–20-foot-deep (4.6–6.1 m) cavern at the source of the spring. The cavern extends deeper into a cave, which has been explored in great detail. SCUBA and cave diving is strictly prohibited. The park has a nature center, and access to Wekiwa Springs, Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. Picnic pavilions are equipped with charcoal grills, electricity, water, and picnic tables. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at
100-508: 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
125-484: 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
150-436: Is a genus of freshwater snails in the family Hydrobiidae . This genus is sometimes placed in the family Cochliopidae Snails of this genus are very small with narrow shells. Females brood young within the genital tract. Species usually live in springs . The genus is differentiated from others by the structure of the male and female reproductive systems. Most of these snails occur in western North America, especially
175-656: 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
200-661: 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
225-405: 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
250-638: The Apopka Sportsmen's Club purchased the property from the Wilson Cypress Company, which had maintained a small turpentine camp in what is now the park, maintaining the area for recreational use. John H. Land , Mayor of Apopka, Florida , and co-owner of the Apopka Sportsmen's Club campaigned the Florida State Legislature for three years to preserve the land. By 1969 the state of Florida expressed interest in
275-542: 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
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#1732783408331300-542: 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
325-421: 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. Tryonia Durangonella Morrison, 1945 Tryonia
350-519: 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
375-406: The main spring and offers primitive camping. Pets are allowed, but must be leashed at all times. Intoxicants are prohibited. There is a network of trails in the park, allowing for bicycling, hiking, and horseback riding . The main hiking trail is 13.5 miles (21.7 km) long, and the 5.3-mile (8.5 km) Volksmarch trail is marked with orange diamonds. A trail connects the main parking area with
400-506: The nature center. There are four campsites in Wekiwa Springs State Park that can only be accessed by canoe or kayak. Spread out across the 7,000 acres (28 km) is located a fairly substantial camping area. Infrastructure exists to support all forms and types of camping from tents to recreational vehicles. Family, primitive and cabin youth camping areas are available. Camp Cozy is located 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from
425-532: 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
450-677: The past to a distance of about 50 meters. Four rare snails are found in Wekiwa Springs. The Wekiwa hydrobe ( Aphaostracon monas ) and the Wekiwa siltsnail ( Floridobia wekiwae ) are endemic to Wekiwa Springs, and are described as "critically imperiled". Wekiwa Springs is also one of only three springs each in which the smooth rib hydrobe ( Tryonia aequicostata ) and the armored siltsnail ( Spilochlamys gravis ) are found. They are described as "vulnerable to extinction". Florida state parks are open between 8 a.m. and sundown every day of
475-668: 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
500-419: The property for use as a state park, and, starting in 1970, visitors have come for the natural spring, crystal clear water, and the area's wildlife. The spring maintains a year-round water temperature of 72 °F (22 °C). The main attraction at Wekiwa Springs Park is the spring, providing approximately 42 million gallons of water to the Wekiva River each day. The swimming area varies in depth from under
525-750: The river and most subdivisions and streets in Seminole County use the Wekiva spelling. Wekiwa is the Creek word for a spring, but contrary to popular belief that Wekiva means "flowing water", it was actually an alternate spelling used by developers. In the 1800s, Central Florida was primarily agricultural; however, with the end of the Civil War, a tourist trade started to take advantage of Florida's temperate winters, long summers and natural environment, and out of that growth came Wekiwa Springs. In 1941,
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#1732783408331550-530: 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
575-441: 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
600-623: 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
625-430: The year (including holidays). The nature center is open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3:00 p.m. EST . Florida State Parks [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
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