Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park | |
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IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape) | |
Location | Marion County, Florida, United States |
Nearest city | Silver Springs |
Coordinates | 29°12′4″N 82°3′13″W / 29.20111°N 82.05361°W |
Area | 5,000 acres (20 km2) |
Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Silver Springs State Park, formerly known as Silver River State Park, is a
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, 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.
History
Silver Springs
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2013) |
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 the Silver River State Park. The same year,
In 1993, the state purchased Silver Springs with the ultimate intention of taking it over. The previous owners continued to operate the attraction under lease. It went through several operators before Palace Entertainment took over management of Silver Springs Nature Theme Park in 2002.[2] 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.[3][4]
Ecology
Among the wildlife of the park are
.Also, a colony of non-native
The diversity of this waterway is among the highest in Florida. Since becoming part of the Florida state park system, 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.
Movies filmed at Silver Springs
- Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
- Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
- The Yearling(1946)
- Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
- Underwater! (1955)
- Rebel Without A Cause(1955)
- Revenge of the Creature (1955)
- Sea Hunt, television series (1958-1961)
- Thunderball (1965)
- Blindfold (1966)
- Moonraker (1979)
- Never Say Never Again (1983)
- Smokey and the Bandit Part 3 (1983)
- Legend (1985)[6]
Silver River
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.[7]
Recreational activities and amenities
Glass-bottom boats are located within the park and are based at the site of 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.[8]
The
Hours
The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round. The gate remains open until 10:00 pm on Fridays for campers.
References
- ^ "History". www.thefriendsofsilverriver.org. Friends of Silver River. 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "State control of Silver Springs attraction looks increasingly likely". Ocala.com. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- Star-Banner. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ Stone, Rick (January 24, 2013). "Silver Springs, Oldest Florida Tourist Attraction, Will Become A State Park". wlrn.com. WLRN. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ISBN 052179109X.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - ^ IMDB. "Filming Locations Silver Springs". IMDb. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-56164-400-1.
- ^ "Park's Hours and Fees | Florida State Parks". www.floridastateparks.org. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ "Ocali Country Days". Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center. Retrieved October 30, 2008.