Volusia County Parks
by Michelle
Rating:
This is a map of my favorite county, state and national parks in Central Florida.
http://volusia.org/parks/links.htm
http://www.floridastateparks.org/FindaParkRegion.cfm?Dist=Central
This is a map of my favorite county, state and national parks in Central Florida.
http://volusia.org/parks/links.htm
http://www.floridastateparks.org/FindaParkRegion.cfm?Dist=Central
The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home (mid-November through March) to a growing population of West Indian Manatees.
For centuries, the spring area was home for Native Americans. In 1766 it was visited by Colonial American botanist John Bartram, but it wasn´t until 1856 that it was settled by Louis Thursby and his family. The Thursby house, built in 1872, remains standing.
The spring´s crystal clear, 73 degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers with a partner. Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted and is strictly enforced. The river is popular for fishing, canoeing, and boating.
River boat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724. The park has plenty of picnic areas and a hiking trail. For overnight stays, air-conditioned cabins, a full-facility campground, and primitive campsites are available.
Located west of Orange City. Take U.S. 17/92 to Orange City, go west two miles on French Avenue to the entrance.
2100 W French Ave Orange City, FL
386-775-3663
Situated on a barrier island along Florida's east coast, inviting park highlights include pristine, undeveloped beach, dunes and lagoon offering sanctuary to an abundant blend of plants and animals. Year-round recreation includes fishing, boating, canoeing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, camping, nature and historical trails.
Native Americans visited and used these springs as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations that were sacked by Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War. By the 1880s the springs had become a winter resort, and tourists were promised "a fountain of youth impregnated with a deliciously healthy combination of soda and sulphur." The swimming area is adjacent to a beautiful, shady picnic ground. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals are available for a paddling tour of the spring and spring run. De Leon Springs flows into the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge where canoeists and kayakers can explore 18,000 acres of lakes, creeks, and marshes. At The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, guests can make their own pancakes at the table. Located at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Burt Parks Road, west of U.S. 17.
601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd.
DeLeon Springs, Florida 32130
Phone: 386-985-4212
The 210-acre Gemini Springs was purchased in 1994 through the combined efforts of Volusia County, the Trust for Public Lands, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Florida Communities Trust. Approximately 6.5 million gallons of sparkling fresh water bubble up from the two springs each day.
Gemini Springs is located between the town of Enterprise, which was a busy center of commerce and government in the early days of the Florida frontier, and the city of DeBary. The land passed through several hands before it was purchased by its last private owners, Saundra and Charles Gray, in 1969.
Farming operations at Gemini Springs in the 1800's included timber, citrus and tapping longleaf pine trees for turpentine. John H. Padgett, who bought the land around the turn of the century, is believed to have built the two story farmhouse and barn we see today. The Padgett family raised cattle and grew sugar cane, operating a cane press and selling sugar juice to passengers on the trains as they passed by on the railroad to Enterprise.
The Gray family gave Gemini Springs its name and raised prize-winning Santa Gertrudis cattle on the property. Under their ownership, the earthen dam and reservoir were built, along with the arched bridges, the stone barbeque building and the Spring House.
37 Dirksen Dr.
Debary FL
A variety of wildlife call the Lighthouse Point Park home, including raccoons, possums, skunks, armadillos, shore birds and birds of prey.
Lighthouse Point Park consists of 52 acres of pristine land on the north side of Ponce DeLeon Inlet in the Town of Ponce Inlet. The 52-acre park features fishing, nature trails, an observation deck and tower, swimming and picnicking.
For more information, call the Lighthouse Point Park office at (386) 756-7488.
Visitors to Smyrna Dunes Park may arrive by land or by sea. Perched on 73 acres of pristine land at the northern tip of the New Smyrna Beach peninsula, the area is surrounded by water on three sides. Waters from the Indian River flow through Ponce Inlet and into the Atlantic Ocean providing a variety of fishing or swimming venues for park goers.
The park also provides a unique opportunity for naturalists, ecologists, students and the general public to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat. To protect the natural habitat, more than two miles of elevated boardwalks, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower have been erected.
The park consists of five ecosystems (ocean, river, dunes, scrub zone, saltwater marsh). The principal system is vast sand dunes. To protect the sensitive sand dunes from foot traffic, two miles of elevated walkways, picnic areas, pavilions and an observation tower were built, allowing visitors to travel through the park in a natural environment.
Smyrna Dunes provides a unique opportunity for naturalists, ecologists, students and the general public to see a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, marine life and vegetation in their natural habitat. The surrounding waters provide excellent fishing, boating and swimming opportunities.
Smyrna Dunes Park is one of a few County parks where man’s best friend may enjoy the amenities. However, pets must be leashed at all times. Guided nature walks and educational programs are available. Admission is $3.50 for vehicles of eight passengers or less. Yearly passes are available.
(386) 424-2935
Spruce Creek Park opened to the public in June 2003. Its 536-foot boardwalk begins more than three miles of nature trails leading to the 15-foot observation tower and continues to Rose Bay. The tower overlooks the marsh area near Spruce Creek.
6250 Ridgewood Ave. Port Orange
(
386) 322-5133
The Sugar Mill Ruins, once a highly functional sugar mill, were built during the uprisings of the Native Americans in the early 19th century. This 17 acre historic site contains the ruins of a the highly functional sugar mill, as well as other buildings, which were destroyed during the war between the Seminole Indians and the United States. The Sugar Mill Ruins evoke a time long ago when the Seminole Indians fought the settlers, ending the area's molasses and sugar industries. Sugar Mill Ruins, Old Mission Road, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168. Phone: 386-427-2284
The Turnbull Ruins, a coquina block foundation overlooking the Intracoastal, represents the colonization by Andrew Turnbull from 1766-1777. It's believed that he attempted to build his personal mansion on these coquina remains. A foundation of sea coquina block was set, but work was never completed. The true origination of the ruins is unknown, some theorized that they may be the remnants of a pre-colonial fort or a colonial church. Located at a main intersection on the river downtown. Old Fort and Riverside Park, New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168.