[MollyJo]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

You can also rent kayaks there. I felt appropriately small as I saw gators at their level.

At their level…������ No…!!!

[MollyJo]

Originally Posted by MollyJo

At their level…������ No…!!!

Gator emoji won’t print

[2newyorkers]

Do they still have the Cracker Village on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month?

[garykoca427@gmail.com]

We reallly enjoyed it. And remember, The Creature from the Black Lagoon was partially made there.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by 2newyorkers

Do they still have the Cracker Village on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month?

Silver Springs State Park – World Famous Glass Bottom Boats

[HORNET]

To bad you didn’t have the chance to see it 15 to 20 years ago, when bands played on weekends

[VApeople]

Years ago, Black people were not allowed at the main part of Silver Springs. There was a separate area named Paradise Park set aside for them located next to where they now rent kayaks.

I saw a TV show about this on the local PBS station. When we lived in Northern Virginia, there was a show called "Tony Brown's Journal" and Tony said, "If life gives you lemons, then make lemonade", and it appears that is exactly what the local Black people in Ocala did.

The TV show interviewed several local people who had very good memories of Paradise Park. When their parents told them they were going to Paradise Park on the weekend, they would get very excited. They would have family gatherings, beauty contests, and lots of activities.

I wish the Silver Springs Park would restore Paradise Park to help us better understand the history of Florida, both good and bad.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

After living here almost two years, I finally made a day trip today to Silver Springs State Park. Easy drive under an hour just east of Ocala. What an enjoyable experience! Nice trails to walk around and a very nice on-site cafe. The highlight was the glass-bottom boat ride. Highly recommend the 90 minute ride, as the longer ride concentrates on wildlife in addition to viewing the crystal blue springs. We saw several manatee, gators, and a plethora of birds. The scenery was breath-taking. Buy your tickets on line in advance. Highly recommend this easy day trip - and then afterwards, you can visit a good restaurant in Ocala (I went to Amrit for the first time - very good Indian food and wonderful service.)

Hopefully the regular restaurant remodeling will be finished soon, nice to be able to have a nice place to eat right in the state park. Did you know a lot more of the attractions are open only on weekends ? Like free admission to the museum for example. Also, since you're still fairly new to the area, if you've not visited the Appleton Museum in Ocala, definitely worth repeat visits. If you sign up on their website you can request an email of their many varied events. Also, if you've not yet driven the National Forrest in the fall, that's a nice experience but wait until after we have the first frosty nights to get the best picture.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Years ago, Black people were not allowed at the main part of Silver Springs. There was a separate area named Paradise Park set aside for them located next to where they now rent kayaks.

I saw a TV show about this on the local PBS station. When we lived in Northern Virginia, there was a show called "Tony Brown's Journal" and Tony said, "If life gives you lemons, then make lemonade", and it appears that is exactly what the local Black people in Ocala did.

The TV show interviewed several local people who had very good memories of Paradise Park. When their parents told them they were going to Paradise Park on the weekend, they would get very excited. They would have family gatherings, beauty contests, and lots of activities.

I wish the Silver Springs Park would restore Paradise Park to help us better understand the history of Florida, both good and bad.

As a native Floridian I can attest that was true, a kind of separate but equal gesture to make a really nice park. At that time it was not a state park.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Years ago there some great concerts at the park.

I definitely remember those ! That was when it was still an attraction, not a State of Florida park. Great variety of concerts and locals could purchase season tickets. Doubt we'll ever see that again since it's become state park.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by BOWRUNNER

The first time I went years ago they had rides, a small zoo, more places to eat and the glass bottom boat that took in all the river views for one price.

Yep, remember it all. That's the difference in an attraction and a state park. I'm just glad, when Rainbow Springs and the iconic glass bottom boats, and the small zoo, and all the things they added to "save" it from the fate of so many old Florida attractions that fell to the Disney-Universal-Sea World dazzle, the state stepped in and at least saved it as a state park !