Oct. 3, 2013 Florida State Parks Newsletter

Visitors enter Silver Springs State Park on opening day.

On Oct. 1, the Florida Park Service welcomed Florida's most iconic spring - Silver Springs - into its award-winning parks system of state parks. In merging with Silver River State Park, the property consists of 4,660 acres of uplands, wetlands and submerged lands surrounding the Silver Springs headwaters and river, as well as Ross Allen Island.

"DEP is excited to add Silver Springs into our group of award-winning state parks," said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. "Managing this property will give residents and visitors a beautiful place to see Florida's natural resource and allow the Department to continue its work in improving the health of Silver Springs."

The Florida Park Service, volunteers and others within the department have worked diligently over the last several months to improve the property in preparation for this day.Environmental assessment and some renovations to the park have been completed, however improvements will continue to protect the water quality of the spring, enhance facilities and add new facilities to safeguard the natural and cultural resources in the park.

"I am excited to introduce Silver Springs State Park to the people and visitors of Florida," said Donald Forgione, Director of the Florida Park Service. "Silver Springs is special and represents 'old Florida.' I look forward to protecting it and helping people enjoy and appreciate all that it offers."

In addition to preserving the park, state and local funding is being used to improve the water quality in Silver Springs. Projects include reducing 663,000 pounds of nitrogen pollution per year going into Silver Spring and redirecting water to be reused in golf courses that are farther away. Plans are also in place to eliminate more than 40,000 additional pounds of nitrogen entering the aquifer each year. These are part of the $37 million dollar springs projects announced by Governor Rick Scott in September. Of the $37 million dedicated statewide to restore springs, $20 million is being used to help Silver Springs.

The park is open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to sunset. Entry to the park is $5 for single occupant vehicles or $8 per vehicle, up to eight people. Individuals, bicyclists, extra passengers and groups pay $2 per person. Admission is good for both the spring and river portions of the park.

From the entrance on State Road 40, visitors have access to Silver Springs for activities, such as kayaking, canoeing and glass bottom boat tours. Park rangers present programs on park history, the health of the spring and wildlife. The Education Center offers exhibits and information about the springs.

From the entrance on Baseline Road (County Road 35), visitors have access to the Silver River, where hiking, off-road bicycling and horseback riding are popular. Cactus Jack's Trail Rides offers well-mannered horses and guided tours for those who do not have their own mounts. On weekends and holidays, the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is open for visitors. Admission is $2 per person. The museum features exhibits on Florida's history and ecology. During the week, it is available for school groups only.

A concert schedule will be available soon. Wild Waters Water Park is expected to re-open in the spring.

On Oct. 4, an appointed advisory group of stakeholders will meet for the first of several focus group meetings to provide input for the amendment of the unit management plan for the park. The meeting will be held 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at "The Cafeteria," the first floor of Building #8, Silver Springs Town Center, 5656 E. Silver Springs Boulevard in Silver Springs. Public comment will be taken at the end of meeting, time permitting.

For more information: Silver Springs State Park, 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala, Florida. Phone: (352) 236-7148, website: www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver/default.cfm.

An arbor over the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail.

Governor Rick Scott proclaimed the month of October as Florida Greenways and Trails Month, celebrating the important  benefits of greenways and trails and how they advance Florida's economy, tourism, health, transportation, recreation, conservation and quality of life. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service, Office of Greenways & Trails welcomes this annual occasion to recognize the more than 600 miles of greenways and trails in Florida.

“This October, I encourage all Floridians to spend quality time outdoors with your family and friends on one of Florida’s greenways and trails,” said Florida Park Service Director Donald Forgione. “Whether you like to hike, bike, paddle or ride a horse, our state trails offer extraordinary places to enjoy Florida’s environment.”

Florida has formally designated approximately 1 million acres of greenways and trails for recreation, conservation and alternative transportation, and Florida residents and visitors have access to nearly 4,000 miles of water trails and over 8,000 miles of land-based trails including the Florida National Scenic Trail and 32 National Recreation Trails. In 2012-2013, more than 3.9 million people utilized Florida's greenways and designated trails for health, transportation and recreation and boosting tourism in those communities.

In addition to the hundreds of miles of greenways and trails, Florida has more than 3,500 miles of designated paddling trails or "Blueways." This month, the St. Johns River was designated as a paddling trail by the Florida Greenways and Trails Council. Winding a majestic 310 miles from the marshes of Brevard County to Huguenot Park in Jacksonville, the St. Johns River is the latest and longest scenic river in Florida to be designated as a state paddling trail, one of 48 waterway trails that flow throughout the state.

Special events offered in October, include:

Northwest Florida

To view more events, visit the Florida State Parks events page.

Leaves change color at Blue Spring State Park.

October and fall weather has fallen upon Florida once again and brings new smells, sights and sounds for all to enjoy. With Florida State Parks, you and your family can join us in celebrating this festive month with many special events. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park will be hosting the Scarecrows in the Gardens event beginning October 7 and ending October 25. Bring your children and families to view the many creative scarecrows. The annual Halloween event ‘Wild n’ Wicked Nights’ of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is returning October 18 for a two weekend event. Events include an Area 51 Tour, a Haunted Trail, a Costume and Scream Contest and many more. The mermaids will also perform an underwater spooktacular performance.

There will also be many festivals for you to choose from such as the Fifth Annual Pumpkin Fest at Big Shoals State Park in White Springs, the Fall Festival at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach, or the 58th Annual Florida Forest Festival at Forest Capital Museum State Park in Perry. Whether you prefer the spookiness and fright or the festivities and splendor of October, Florida State Parks have events for everyone to enjoy.

Northwest Region

Students explore at Crystal River Archaeological State Park.

Four events in October will allow visitors to travel back in time with Florida State Parks.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, National Fossil Day takes place at Paynes Creek Historic State Park in Bowling Green. The event will feature fossil clubs displaying their unique Florida fossils from around the Southwest Region. Children will have the opportunity to dig in fossil pits and retrieve their very own fossils. Two speakers will attend the event sharing information about fossils and paleontology. The event takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m., Crystal River Archaeological State Park will host Moon Over the Mounds. You and your family will join a Ranger and an archaeologist on a moonlight tour around the park. Enjoy the .75- mile trail as you view the mounds in a different light.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will host Timucua, a Native American program to celebrate National Archaeology Day. Join us for this unique, hands-on Native American experience and discover the ways of the Timucuan Indians and their relationship to the land that they loved. Park Services Specialist, Joe Woodbury, will share stories about the Timucuans and explain the important role the river, forest and ocean played in their everyday lives. See a 1500s Timucuan Camp and experience the food, clothing and shelter of these amazing people first hand. Try your hand at throwing an atlatl or starting a fire using a bow and drill. The program will take place next to the visitor center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park along with the City of St. Marks will host an International Archaeology Day Celebration in conjunction with the Annual Stone Crab Festival and the 25th Monarch Butterfly Festival. The National Park Service’s Southeast Archaeological Center event is being held from 10:00 a.m.to 4:00 p.m. and will include presentations by archaeologists, Native American pottery making, flint knapping and an on-site archaeology lab. While there, visitors can participate in the Stone Crab Festival taking place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and enjoy food, entertainment and numerous vendors.