FLORIDA PARK SERVICE ANNOUNCES WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK KAYAK LAUNCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent this bulletin at 02/17/2017 04:30 PM EST
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 17, 2017

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FLORIDA PARK SERVICE ANNOUNCES WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK KAYAK LAUNCH IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

~Project will improve water quality and protect spring~

WEEKI WACHEE, Fla. – The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be improving the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park canoe and kayak launch beginning Feb. 20. The project, which will improve water quality in the spring, is expected to take approximately 60 days to complete.

For visitor safety, the main boat launch will be closed during construction. However, an alternate launch site located within the park will be available to continue to provide visitors recreational access to the spring. Due to the distance from the check-in area at the boathouse to the new launch, guests will be provided a shuttle to the temporary launch site.

To ensure visitor safety and to keep congestion in the river at a minimum, there will be staggered periods to launch kayaks and tubes during the construction project. Beginning Feb. 20, kayaks can be rented and launched at the park from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Beginning March 11, Lazy River tubes at Buccaneer Bay can be rented and launched from 1–5 p.m. on weekends. As the kayaks and tubes will be using the same launch area, kayak launching will only be available daily until 1 p.m., and tube launches available from 1-5 p.m. on weekends.

This restoration project will benefit the Weeki Wachee river system by reducing stormwater pollutants and sediment loading to the Weeki Wachee River. The project includes stabilizing the ramp entrance, constructing concrete curbs, and creating a pervious access path which will allow rainfall to percolate into the soil and reduce runoff into the river.

Visitors interested in kayak and canoe rentals should still check-in at the Paddling Adventures parking area and boathouse. Due to the high-demand, all visitors interested in kayaking or canoeing should make reservations by calling 352-597-8484. For additional information and updates, please visit the Weeki Wachee Springs State Park website and Facebook page.