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Hernando Today

Residents Sound Off On State Park

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: January 22, 2009

WEEKI WACHEE - Residents showed up in force at Weeki Wachee Springs Tuesday night to query Florida Department of Environmental Protection officials about the future of the state's newest park.

The roughly 90 people who packed the park's banquet hall also sent a salvo of suggestions for how to improve the 61-year-old landmark.

DEP manages the state park system and conducts public meeting input for public parks. Tuesday's meeting was the first for Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which transferred to state ownership last November.

The agency's top priority is protecting natural resources, Lew Scruggs, property manager for DEP told the bundled-up crowd. In Weeki Wachee's case, the obvious resources are the first magnitude spring and the 530 acres of surrounding scrubland and wetland, Scruggs said.

But Scruggs acknowledged that the department is faced with the unique task of maintaining the home of the mermaids and much history dating back to American Indian tribes.

"This is not only a park and attraction, it's also a cultural resource," Scruggs said.

For the most part, there will not be much change in the coming year, Scruggs and Park Manager Tommy Ervin told the crowd. And the famous mermaid show will remain the park's mainstay.

The state's top priorities are to make sure the park is safe and comfortable. Two tour boats will soon be replaced, and a $60,000 air conditioner for the mermaid theater is on order.

That said, the department is open to many ideas, they said.

Here are a few of the issues that came up and officials' responses to them:

•River access. Weeki Wachee resident Ralph Frank roused a round of applause when he called the Weekiwachee River "one of the most inaccessible" for canoeists and kayakers.

Frank complained that enthusiasts have to continue to pay Weeki Wachee Canoe and Kayak a fee to launch one's own equipment, and that the hours the launch is available are limited.

Ervin said the department decided to renew the contract for this year to keep consistent service during the transition to a state park but will review the contract this year.

•Erosion: The state needs to take action to keep sand from the manmade beach at the Buccaneer Bay water park area from washing into the river and spring, several residents said. Riverfront residents have for years blamed the sand for making the river shallow.
Scruggs said a review of that issue along with Southwest Florida Water Management District would be a priority.

•Camping: The department has not made a decision on whether camping would be allowed in the park, Scruggs said. But he hinted it's not likely because of the sensitive ecology of the surrounding land.

What is likely, Scruggs said, are some passive trails and informational kiosks on the animal and plant species in the area.

•Birds of prey: Several residents said the park needs to bring back the popular Birds of Prey show. DEP officials said they would consider it.

•Events: Park managers said they are eager to work with the community to see the park continues to be the site of cultural events and fundraisers.

•Museum: Officials showed particular excitement for a museum that would showcase both the attraction's history and its significance to native peoples. The park already has plenty of memorabilia, and a host of artifacts have been unearthed at the attraction over the years.

They said they plan to place a particular emphasis on bringing schoolchildren for environmental education.

•Artist partnership: Several members of the Hernando County Fine Arts and Spring Hill Art League urged the park to set up a partnership with the arts community. That could include giving artists a space for a gallery and demonstrations for visitors, with a particular focus on local schoolchildren. DEP officials say they're open to the idea.

Everyone conceded a lot of the grand plans will cost money. Scruggs pointed out the state parks rely on three sources of revenue: gate fees, documentary stamp taxes and donations.

That third source will be key, he said. Officials put out a call for volunteers, particularly for the soon-to-be-formed Friends of Weeki Wachee State Park, which will be a non-profit fundraising arm for the park.

Martin Jenkins of Weeki Wachee urged park officials to strike a balance between the competing priorities of environmental stewardship, entertainment and access.

"If we get into one of these situations where it's either or, we're going to lose some of the potential," Jenkins said.

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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