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complete agenda - Florida Department of Environmental Protection

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Unit Name: De Leon Springs State Park<br />

Acres: 606.14 Managing<br />

Agency:<br />

Description:<br />

DRP<br />

Current Management Plan<br />

Approved:<br />

Native Americans lived near the spring as long as 6,000 years ago. In the early 1800s, settlers<br />

built Spring Garden Plantation, growing cotton and sugar cane. The park’s swimming area is<br />

adjacent to a beautiful, shady picnic ground. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking and paddle<br />

boating on the spring run and the St. Johns River. At the historic Old Spanish Sugar Mill<br />

Restaurant, guests can make their own pancakes at the table.<br />

Accomplishments:<br />

Resource Management<br />

• Reduced backlogged prescribed fire acreage.<br />

• Significant progress made on maintenance and control <strong>of</strong> exotic plants.<br />

• Archaeological survey <strong>of</strong> picnic area revealed an undisturbed prehistoric shell midden containing<br />

animal bones, chert, beads, pottery, and bone pins.<br />

Visitor Services<br />

• Added a “Living With Alligators” interpretive program.<br />

• Added two outdoor exhibits and a 1950s billboard interpreting the <strong>Florida</strong> tourist attraction era<br />

<strong>of</strong> the park’s history.<br />

• Established a Spring Festival featuring a car show and music.<br />

Capital Improvements<br />

• CSO funded installation <strong>of</strong> hand dryers in the restrooms to eliminate an annual use <strong>of</strong> 60 miles<br />

<strong>of</strong> paper towels.<br />

177<br />

2006

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