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BROOKSVILLE – The Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) Florida Park Service and Weeki Wachee
Springs, L.L.C. today held a ceremonial signing of the
agreement that will make the attraction part of the
Florida state park system. Attorney General Bill
McCollum, who helped facilitate the negotiations of the
agreement, joined a host of local and state officials at
the historic event and voiced his appreciation for the
agreement.
“Weeki Wachee is one of the most magical natural
attractions our state has to offer its residents and
guests, and I am proud to help preserve this treasure
for generations to come,” said Attorney General
McCollum.
The ceremony was held in the world famous underwater
theater that is home to the Weeki Wachee mermaid shows.
Following the signing of the agreement, Robyn Anderson,
mayor of the City of Weeki Wachee, presented the key to
the city to Attorney General McCollum.
“This agreement is important as it brings Weeki
Wachee Springs another step closer to becoming a state
park,” said DEP Deputy Secretary Bob Ballard. “I am
pleased to see so many people coming together to
preserve this natural and cultural piece of Florida’s
heritage - a wonderful addition to Florida’s state park
system.”
DEP’s Florida Park Service will assume operations of
Weeki Wachee Springs on November 1, 2008, upon
completing a lease agreement with the Southwest Florida
Water Management District. Over the next few months, a
transition team with members from both the Florida Park
Service and Weeki Wachee Springs, L.L.C. will work to
ensure a smooth transition in management. The Florida
Park Service will retain as many current employees as
possible.
Weeki Wachee Springs, L.L.C., “The Only City of Live
Mermaids,” is a famous Florida attraction located in
Hernando County. Established in 1946, the spring was
turned into an attraction featuring an underwater
mermaid show as well as other visitor activities. As one
of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs, Weeki Wachee is
a valuable natural and cultural resource.
The first two-time Gold Medal winner honoring the
nation’s best state park service, Florida’s state park
system is one of the largest in the country with 161
parks spanning nearly 700,000 acres and 100 miles of
sandy white beach. From swimming and diving in Florida’s
rivers and springs to birding and fishing or hiking and
riding on natural scenic trails, Florida’s state parks
offer year-around outdoor activities for all ages.
Battle reenactments and Native American festivals
celebrate Florida’s unique history, while art shows,
museums and lighthouses offer a window into Florida’s
cultural heritage.
For more information about Florida State Parks, visit
www.floridastateparks.org. For more information
about Weeki Wachee Springs, visit
www.weekiwachee.com/.
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2012 State of Florida