The Friends of Blue Spring State Park
About Us
The Friends of Blue Spring State Park is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) Citizen Support Organization (CSO) of volunteers dedicated to helping to ensure Blue Spring State Park remains a fun, interesting, educational, and beautiful place to visit! We provide support to the park through volunteering, educating visitors, hosting events and raising funds for specific park projects. The funds we raise can provide additional equipment, buildings, programs, and renovations according to the needs of the park.
Become a Member
By becoming a member of the Friends of Blue Spring State Park, you receive access to special members only events, free visits to the park, receive our newsletters, sign up to volunteer, and join our monthly meetings.
A Generous Gift to Blue Spring State Park
We are honored to announce that the R&H Gemberling & L&P Miller Memorial Foundation has made a remarkable donation of $93,555 to the Friends of Blue Spring State Park this July!
According to Scott Miller, Foundation President, many of the Board members and their children grew up in the area and have cherished memories of time spent at Blue Spring State Park. Their heartfelt connection to the park inspired them to give back in a meaningful way.
This generous contribution will be used to support projects and services that:
Increase wildlife awareness
Provide educational opportunities
Enhance the visitor experience for years to come
The CSO is deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support. CSO leadership and Park Management are currently working together to identify and develop impactful initiatives that align with this vision.
💙 Every Gift Makes a Difference
Whether large or small, every donation helps us protect and enrich Blue Spring State Park.
🔗 You can donate directly on this website.
For grant opportunities or other donation inquiries, please contact:
Nancy Jeffreys – njeffreysbluespringcso@gmail.com
Katherine Hallum – khallumbluespringcso@gmail.com
Big Nova Foundation Helps Expand Trail Access at Blue Spring State Park
We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Thanks to a generous donation of $32,620 from the Big Nova Foundation, the Friends of Blue Spring State Park have been able to purchase two EcoRover all-terrain chairs for our Rolling Hikes program.
These specially designed chairs make it possible for guests with physical challenges to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of our park trails—bringing us closer to our goal of making outdoor experiences accessible to everyone.
We were honored to welcome several members of the Big Nova Foundation Board and their families to Blue Spring State Park, where they had the opportunity to see the new chairs in person and witness the impact of their contribution.
💙 Thank you, Big Nova Foundation, for helping us open the trails to more adventurers!
Want to Support Our Mission?
Every donation helps us continue creating inclusive and enriching experiences at Blue Spring State Park.
🔗 You can donate directly on this website.
For grant opportunities or other donation inquiries, please contact:
Nancy Jeffreys – njeffreysbluespringcso@gmail.com
Katherine Hallum – khallumbluespringcso@gmail.com
Our Accomplishments & Initiatives
Here’s how your Donations have Made a Difference!
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Your donations have made possible a large viewing deck of the new rescue and release ramp. The ramp has replaced the previous wooden staircase and significantly assists researchers with manatee releases.
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Thanks to a generous donation from the Big Nova Foundation, the Rolling Hikes Team is excited to announce the purchase of two Eco Rover Chairs! ♿
These all-terrain mobility chairs will allow guests with physical challenges to explore and enjoy the beautiful trails in our park—making nature more accessible to everyone. This expansion of our Rolling Hikes program is a big step forward in creating inclusive outdoor experiences for all.
We’re incredibly grateful for Big Nova Foundation’s support in helping us open the trails to more adventurers!
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Your donations have enabled the Friends to purchase a brand new Ford F-150 truck for the rangers to use. We have also purchased 3 Cushman Haulers.
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The Friends of Blue Spring State Park was able to fund the purchase of a new Kubota Zero turn Diesel mower large enough for the fields and grounds of our park.
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Thanks to your donations we could also purchase 2 new trailers to hold our event materials and our all terrain Eco Rover chairs.
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The Friends of Blue Spring State Park was able to purchase new underwater hydrophone equipment that will allow park guests to hear manatees underwater.
Know Before You Go!
Blue Spring State Park is located at 2100 W. French Ave in Orange City, FL 32763
Hours:
The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.
ADMISSION FEES:
Admission: $6 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
RESTRICTIONS:
Please note that the spring run is closed every year from November to March for Manatee Season.
If you have additional questions, please check out Florida State Park - Blue Spring for additional information
Think Before You Float!
This is a friendly reminder that all glitter tubes are prohibited at Blue Spring State Park for the safety of the wildlife that call the park home.
Glitter tubes might look fun, but they have a big risk of harming fragile springs. Most glitter is made of microplastic—tiny bits that never break down. The risk lies in the glitter escaping the enclosed tube when broken or damaged and leaking into the water. When glitter gets in the water, it can be ingested by manatees and other wildlife including birds, turtles and fish, causing serious harm or even be fatal. Most glitter is plastic, hard to clean up and doesn’t go away.
Protect our springs. Skip the glitter.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
