STATE PARK IMPROVEMENTS TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY

Newly renovated walkways at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.

TALLAHASSEE – All Florida residents and visitors deserve an opportunity to access and experience Florida's award-winning state parks. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection today announced the completion of several walkway renovations at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park that mark progress toward that goal. 

The Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park walkways project involved the construction of concrete ramps to provide greater access to the boathouse and gazebo areas. Additionally, many of the existing pavers were leveled and secured in place with concrete shoulders to increase safety for all park visitors.

"One of my main priorities for the department is to provide residents and visitors more opportunities to enjoy Florida's award-winning state parks," said DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. "These projects are essential to making our parks more accessible and safer for all visitors."

This is just one of many projects that are in progress or beginning soon at state parks across Florida.

At St. George Island State Park, renovations of two sections of the boardwalk begin next week to connect parking areas to the beach. This project includes replacing steps and adjusting the slopes of the boardwalks to provide easier passage to the four-mile-long beach.

Blue Spring State Park is adding two campground bathhouses and four new ADA-compliant campsites, with construction for these projects beginning June 15.

On June 30, Falling Waters State Park will begin the installation of a connector trail and two parking stalls that meet ADA standards to provide access to a recently constructed boardwalk that leads to the swimming area.

Ochlockonee River State Park is modifying its boardwalk down to the river to provide for an ADA-compliant canoe and kayak launch area. The park is also replacing its restroom facility and adding additional handicap parking spaces.

Additionally, Wekiwa Springs State Park has begun the construction of an ADA youth camp. This project includes extending the current walkways that connect existing cabins and the swimming pool, and building new accessible walkways.

This fall, Florida Caverns State Park is increasing the number of handicap parking spaces and will be adding a new walkway that will provide access to the visitor center. Also planned for later this year at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, the department is looking to construct ADA-accessible boardwalks and sidewalks to six bathhouses and various beach access points. Many of the park's wooden boardwalks are being converted to concrete and their slopes reduced for easier use.