Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is a
state park
State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural ...
in
Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County is a county located in the north central part of the U.S. state of Florida. Organized in 1925 from the western part of Alachua, it is the last county to be formed in the state. As of the 2020 census, the population was 17,86 ...
, along the
Santa Fe River. Operated as a private park for many years,
the park was purchased by the state of
Florida
Florida is a state located in the Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia, to the east by the Bahamas and Atlantic Ocean, and to ...
for $5.2 million and opened as Florida's 175th state park on November 1, 2017.
It contains six natural
springs.
In addition to Gilchrist Blue Spring, the park contains Little Blue Spring, Naked Spring, Kiefer Spring and Johnson Spring.
The park's full name is Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. Ruby B. Kirby received the property that is now the state park as an engagement gift from Ed. C. Wright, her employer and fiancé, in 1958. While the couple never married, Kirby was the executor for Wright's estate after he died in 1969. Kirby and her family operated the property as a private park until it was sold to the
State of Florida
Florida is a U.S. state, state located in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. Florida is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the northwest by Alabama, to the north by Georgia (U.S. state), Geo ...
. In 2019, the park was renamed after Ruth B. Kirby in honor of her dedication to the springs.
The springs produce about 44 million gallons of water each day and run into the Santa Fe River. Guests have the opportunity to hike, picnic, camp, snorkel, swim, and paddle throughout the park. There is one concession stand for food and drink at the park. There are various photo opportunities among the scenic view. Some wildlife among the springs include: turtles, sunfish, bass, and catfish.
References
External links
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Parka
Florida State Parks
State parks of Florida
Parks in Gilchrist County, Florida
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