Groundbreaking for New Visitor Center at Wakulla Springs State Park
Summary
Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced the groundbreaking for a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park on April 6, 2026. The facility will feature expanded meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits, and educational programming complementing the park's Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.
What changed
Florida State Parks celebrated the groundbreaking of a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, described as the 'Gem of Northwest Florida.' The new facility will expand meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits, and educational programming while complementing the Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park's Lodge. The project aims to accommodate growing demand as Florida's population and visitor numbers continue to rise.
This is an informational announcement about a capital improvement project at a state park. No regulatory requirements, compliance obligations, or penalties are associated with this press release. The construction timeline indicates completion by early 2027.
Source document (simplified)
Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent this bulletin at 04/06/2026 05:27 PM EDT
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| ## FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2026
CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov
Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
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Groundbreaking for new visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla. – Today, Florida State Parks celebrated the groundbreaking of a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Designed to provide an immersive, multi-faceted visitor experience, the center will highlight Wakulla Springs’ unique natural and cultural significance and help accommodate growing demand as Florida’s population and number of visitors continue to rise.
The new facility will expand meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits and educational programming while complementing the Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park’s Lodge. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.
“This new visitor center will give more people the chance to experience Wakulla Springs’ natural beauty and rich cultural history in a modern, engaging way,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Projects like this also strengthen the surrounding community by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing why Florida State Parks are recognized as the best in the nation.”
Known as the “Gem of Northwest Florida,” Wakulla Springs is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. The park is home to diverse wildlife and extensive underwater cave systems and has long attracted visitors and filmmakers alike. Scenes from the classic films The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Tarzan’s Secret Treasure were filmed at the spring.
Florida State Parks are widely recognized as the best in the nation, earning the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management four times. They are also a significant economic driver for communities across the state. Last fiscal year, Florida State Parks welcomed more than 28 million visitors, generating an estimated $3.6 billion in economic impact statewide. Continued investments in park infrastructure and visitor amenities helps ensure Florida State Parks maintain that standard while protecting the natural resources that make them special.
Learn more about Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org.
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New visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
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Conceptual interior with educational and exhibit spaces.
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| ## About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails
The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005, 2013 and 2019 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.
Florida’s award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With more than 811,000 acres, 101 miles of beaches and 3,120 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures.
For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/411c6ba | | | | | | ## FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2026
CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov
Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
| |
Groundbreaking for new visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla. – Today, Florida State Parks celebrated the groundbreaking of a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Designed to provide an immersive, multi-faceted visitor experience, the center will highlight Wakulla Springs’ unique natural and cultural significance and help accommodate growing demand as Florida’s population and number of visitors continue to rise.
The new facility will expand meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits and educational programming while complementing the Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park’s Lodge. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.
“This new visitor center will give more people the chance to experience Wakulla Springs’ natural beauty and rich cultural history in a modern, engaging way,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Projects like this also strengthen the surrounding community by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing why Florida State Parks are recognized as the best in the nation.”
Known as the “Gem of Northwest Florida,” Wakulla Springs is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. The park is home to diverse wildlife and extensive underwater cave systems and has long attracted visitors and filmmakers alike. Scenes from the classic films The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Tarzan’s Secret Treasure were filmed at the spring.
Florida State Parks are widely recognized as the best in the nation, earning the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management four times. They are also a significant economic driver for communities across the state. Last fiscal year, Florida State Parks welcomed more than 28 million visitors, generating an estimated $3.6 billion in economic impact statewide. Continued investments in park infrastructure and visitor amenities helps ensure Florida State Parks maintain that standard while protecting the natural resources that make them special.
Learn more about Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org.
| |
New visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
| |
Conceptual interior with educational and exhibit spaces.
| | | | ## About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails
The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005, 2013 and 2019 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.
Florida’s award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With more than 811,000 acres, 101 miles of beaches and 3,120 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures.
For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/411c6ba |
| | | | | | | |
| ## FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2026
CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov
Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
| |
Groundbreaking for new visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla. – Today, Florida State Parks celebrated the groundbreaking of a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Designed to provide an immersive, multi-faceted visitor experience, the center will highlight Wakulla Springs’ unique natural and cultural significance and help accommodate growing demand as Florida’s population and number of visitors continue to rise.
The new facility will expand meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits and educational programming while complementing the Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park’s Lodge. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.
“This new visitor center will give more people the chance to experience Wakulla Springs’ natural beauty and rich cultural history in a modern, engaging way,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. “Projects like this also strengthen the surrounding community by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing why Florida State Parks are recognized as the best in the nation.”
Known as the “Gem of Northwest Florida,” Wakulla Springs is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. The park is home to diverse wildlife and extensive underwater cave systems and has long attracted visitors and filmmakers alike. Scenes from the classic films The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Tarzan’s Secret Treasure were filmed at the spring.
Florida State Parks are widely recognized as the best in the nation, earning the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management four times. They are also a significant economic driver for communities across the state. Last fiscal year, Florida State Parks welcomed more than 28 million visitors, generating an estimated $3.6 billion in economic impact statewide. Continued investments in park infrastructure and visitor amenities helps ensure Florida State Parks maintain that standard while protecting the natural resources that make them special.
Learn more about Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org.
| |
New visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.
| |
Conceptual interior with educational and exhibit spaces.
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| ## About Florida State Parks, Greenways and Trails
The Florida Park Service is the proud recipient of four National Gold Medals for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management, making Florida America’s first four-time Gold Medal winner. The awards were received in 1999, 2005, 2013 and 2019 from the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration and the National Recreation and Park Association.
Florida’s award-winning state parks, trails and historic sites inspire residents and visitors with recreation opportunities and scenic beauty that help strengthen families, educate children, expand local economies and foster community pride. With more than 811,000 acres, 101 miles of beaches and 3,120 miles of multi-use trails, residents and visitors should plan to visit soon and often to enjoy Florida’s natural treasures.
For more information, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/411c6ba | | | | | | |
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