New Prices for Florida State parks

— by Adele Woodyard

In these days of forced budget cuts it looked, for awhile, as if 19 of Florida state parks would have to be closed. Instead, the powers that be raised entrance fees a buck or so for most, the first time in five years—and lowered one—the recently acquired Weeki Wachee Springs. Starting July 1, their mermaids can be seen at the same price as the Homosassa Springs State Park wildlife–$13 adults, $5 children 6-12, 5 and under Free.

Those two are top attractions, but think of what else you may find when your wallet’s flat. You can visit a fort, a famous writer’s house, or Indian Mounds, at $2 per car, holding up to 8 people. A Gulf beach , or river to swim in for $3; farm animals, or springs for $4; folk crafts, endangered birds, or Florida cattle and cowboys for $5. Eight cost $8 per car to enter; at 40 state parks you pay nothing at all. These are just a few of the possibilities you’ll discover on www.FloridaStateParks.org. Wherever you live, or are staying in Florida, there is one near you. So pack a lunch, the kids, and hop in the car. Where else can you spend a fun day for so little?