U.S. Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican from Florida, has introduced legislation to study the creation of a new national park in North Central Florida that would be called the Florida Springs National Park.
According to an article by wcjb, the proposal would cover about 2,800 square miles and include some of the state’s most iconic natural areas such as the Ocala National Forest, Paynes Prairie Preserve, Lake George, Camp Blanding, and the Ocklawaha River.
National parks emphasize the permanent preservation of land, while national forests allow activities like logging and mining.
By re-designating areas currently managed under different conservation frameworks, the proposal seeks to give stronger protection to many sites that are already popular with visitors and ecologists.
The study area outlined in the bill includes a wide network of public lands, beginning with Ocala National Forest; Lake George, Relay, Tiger Bay, Seminole Forest (Lake Tracy Unit), Rock Springs Run, Marshall Swamp, Ocala (Lake Delancy and Church Lake Units), Belmore, Camp Blanding, Ocklawaha River, and Grove Park Wilderness Management Areas.
It also encompasses Lake George, Heart Island, Rice Creek, Hull Swamp, Crescent Lake, Lochloosa Wildlife, Clark Bay, Silver Springs Forest, Newnans Lake, Murphy Creek, Horseshoe Point, Moses Creek, and Pellicer Creek Conservation Areas.
Additionally, the proposal covers Lake George, Tiger Bay, Seminole, Etoniah Creek, Jennings, and Matanzas State Forests, along with Indian Lake State Forest Campground.
Further sites listed in the proposed study include Lower Wekiva River Preserve, Dunns Creek, Haw Creek Preserve, Paynes Prairie Preserve, De León Springs, Blue Spring, and Faver Dykes State Parks.
It also identifies Longleaf Pine Preserve, Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area, Deep Creek Preserve, Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Princess Place, and Lake Disston Park.
If established, Florida Springs National Park would mark one of the largest conservation designations in the state’s history, expanding protected areas and potentially boosting both tourism and outdoor recreation while safeguarding critical ecosystems for future generations.
A new national park designation in Florida could drive significant increases in tourism, expand opportunities for camping and RV travel, and strengthen the appeal of outdoor activities in one of the nation’s most ecologically diverse regions.