Swampy's Florida

Swampy with Marion County Commissioner Earl Arnett, local community leader Morrey Dean and Marion County Commissioner David Moore.

Swampy attending an information filled meeting about the future of Silver Springs tonight. The State of Floria Department of Environmental Protection and the parks department are planning to maintain the park to the best of their ability with the viewpoint of protecting the water supply. Plans are to beef up botanical areas and the glass bottom boat rides, while taking away the petting zoo and animal exhibits. The hope is to tie Silver Springs in with Silver River State Park. Though many in the audience of less than 200 expressed a hope to keep them a bit separate. Audubon Society’s Charles Lee and Springs Alliance V.P. Natalie Lyons gave support of the proposal from their respective organizations.

The Silver Springs plan proposed tonight heads to Governor Rick Scott’s desk Wednesday for his and the cabinet’s approval.

The audience had an opportunity to step up and air their thoughts for the bulk of the meeting. Naturalist Guy Marwick requested keeping a few alligators and the American crocodile that is there now. One lady gave her vision of a new Silver Springs that would have a horde of bikers heading to Bike Week making an annual stop at the park. Overall public sentiment was in favor of the direction the State is taking to re-establish Silver Springs as an attraction.