Silver River State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Silver River State Park
iucn_category = V

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location = Marion County, Florida, USA
nearest_city = Silver Springs
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lat_direction = N
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long_direction = W
area = convert|5000|acre|km2 ^{(20 km²)}
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governing_body = Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Silver River State Park is a nearly 5,000 acre (20 km²) Florida State Park east of Ocala. Adjacent to Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha River, the park is a mile south of State Road 40 on State Road 35 (also known as Baseline Road).

Ecology

Among the wildlife of the park are armadilloes, deer, turkey, foxes, alligators, Sherman fox squirrels and gopher tortoises, as well as coyote, bobcat and Florida black bear.

There is also a colony of non-native rhesus monkeys which were introduced by a boat captain who thought they would stay on the island where he put them. Rhesus monkeys, however, are very good swimmers. However, a rival legend holds that they are the descendants of monkeys used to enhance the scenery for the Tarzan movies that were shot in the area in the 1930s.Fact|date=January 2008

Recreational activities and amenities

Activities include bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include a "cracker village" and a museum and an environmental center that are open on weekends. The park has convert|15|mi|km of trails, ten cabins, access to the Silver River, and a 59 site campground.

Silver Springs Nature Theme Park with its glass-bottomed boats is located on the property of the park, but is run by a private company.

There is a Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center with educational facilities, run by the Marion County Public School System in cooperation with the Florida Park Service.

History

The area that comprises the state park was purchased by the state in 1985 to maintain the natural environment of the area in the face of booming real estate development. The Silver River runs through the center of this convert|5000|acre|km2|sing=on park. The spring head is still run by the private company "Silver Springs Nature Theme Park" but the rest of the entire 5 1/2 spring run is completely pristine and undeveloped.

Hours

The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round. The gate remains open until 10:00 p.m. on Fridays for campers.

External links

* [http://www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver/ Silver River State Park] at [http://www.floridastateparks.org/ Florida State Parks]
* [http://www.abfla.com/parks/SilverRiver/silverriver.html Silver River State Park] at [http://www.abfla.com/ Absolutely Florida]
* [http://areas.wildernet.com/pages/area.cfm?areaID=FLSPSR&CU_ID=1 Silver River State Park] at [http://www.wildernet.com/ Wildernet]