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Lafayette Blue Spring State Park

LAFAYETTE COUNTY - Florida State Parks will add another feather to its cap with the operation of popular Lafayette Blue Spring as the 159th State Park. Lafayette Blue Spring is a 1st magnitude spring pumping millions of gallons of cool, clear water into the historic Suwannee River. The Florida Park Service will take over operation of the park from Lafayette County beginning July 1st.

Lafayette Blue Spring is a gem, said Florida State Parks Director Mike Bullock. As the 159th State Park, spring resources will be protected and the local economy will receive a major boost as a destination along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.

Located seven miles northwest of Mayo on the west side of the Suwannee River, the park offers an abundance of recreational opportunities including swimming, scuba diving, hiking and camping. Parking, bathrooms, boat ramp, and other facilities are under going renovation.

Lafayette Blue Spring discharges more than 45,000 gallons of crystal clear water per minute from a single horizontal vent in the south side of the sink depression. The bright, blue spring waters contrast with the tannin waters of the historic Suwannee River.

The Florida Park Service has proved to be a friend of Lafayette County and the Suwannee River Basin, said Lafayette County Commission Chairman Donnie Hamlin. We are proud to host the county’s second state park. This agreement will benefit the county and protect our resources.

Florida State Parks along the Suwannee River pump generate than $18 million a year for local economies and provide more than 360 jobs. With the grand re-opening of Lafayette Blue Spring in July, these contributions to the area are expected to increase as the park gains popularity as a destination on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.

Initiated by Governor Jeb Bush in 2002, the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a five-year, $10 million partnership between DEP, the SRWMD, businesses and communities along the river. The trail provides visitors an opportunity to navigate the entire length of the world-famous Suwannee with convenient rest stops located at one-day intervals. From tents and cabins to motels, hotels and bed & breakfast inns, eight regional hubs with existing infrastructure and recreational opportunities offer various resting and lodging choices along the way.

Florida’s state park system is one of the largest in the country with 159 parks spanning more than 730,000 acres and more than 100 miles of sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages. Battle reenactments and Native American festivals celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows, museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s cultural heritage.

 
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