About Us

We are a group of volunteers dedicated to helping to ensure Blue Spring State Park and Hontoon Island State Park remain fun, interesting, educational, and beautiful places to visit!  

Our Mission Statement

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 and Hontoon Island State Park remain fun, interesting, educational, and beautiful places to visit! We provide support to the parks through volunteering, educating visitors, hosting events and raising funds for park projects. The funds we raise can provide additional equipment, buildings, programs, and renovations according to the needs of the parks.  

Our Accomplishments & Initiatives

Here’s how your donations have made a difference:

  • 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.

  • Thanks to a generous donation from the Big Nova Foundation, R&H Gemberling, and L&P Miller Memorial Foundation Inc., we are excited to announce the purchase of four Eco Rover Chairs! ♿

    These all-terrain chairs allow less abled guests 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 and R&H Gemberling & L&P Miller Memorial Foundation’s support in helping us open the trails to more adventurers! 

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Thanks to your donations we could also purchase a new trailer to house and transport our all terrain EcoRover chairs.

  • The Friends of Blue Spring State Park was able to purchase new underwater hydrophone equipment that will allow park guests to hear manatees underwater.

Friends of Blue Spring State Park Members receive reimbursed visits to Blue Spring State Park and the ability to be a Friends volunteer at our exciting events!

There are currently multiple different membership levels to choose from.

Become a Friend of Blue Spring State Park Today!

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Thank You To Our Sponsors!