Eden Gardens State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eden Gardens State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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Location | Walton County, Florida, USA |
Nearest city | Freeport, Florida |
Area | 163 acres (66 ha) |
Established | 1968 |
Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Eden Gardens State Park is a beautiful Florida State Park and historic place. It covers about 163 acres (0.66 km2) of land. You can find it in Point Washington, which is south of Freeport, in northwestern Florida.
The main part of the park is the Wesley House. This is a large, two-story mansion. It has many white columns and porches all around it. Inside, the house is filled with old and interesting furniture. Some of the furniture is from France and is very old, from the late 1700s. The park also has many different gardens. You can see very old and large southern live oak trees here. The park is also next to Tucker Bayou, which is a small waterway.
The park is open every day. You can visit from 8:00 AM until the sun sets. There is a small fee to enter the park.
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Fun Things to Do at the Park
There are many exciting things to do at Eden Gardens State Park!
Explore the Historic Wesley House
You can take a tour of the historic Wesley House. It was built in 1897 and is full of old items. Tours are given from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. They start every hour, from Thursday to Monday. The house is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for cleaning and care.
Wander Through Beautiful Gardens
The park has many lovely gardens to explore. You can see special heritage roses and colorful camellias. There are also bright azaleas. A special butterfly garden attracts many different butterflies. You can also find a calm reflection pond. This pond is filled with pretty water lilies and large, colorful koi fish.
Enjoy Nature and Outdoor Activities
If you like nature, there are walking trails to explore. You can also find nice picnic areas to enjoy a meal outdoors. There is a fishing dock where you can try to catch some fish. If you have a kayak or canoe, you can launch it into Tucker Bayou. From there, you can paddle out to the larger Choctawhatchee Bay.
Attend Special Events
The park hosts fun events throughout the year. In February, there is an Annual Camellia Festival. Before Christmas, a special Christmas Luminary Event lights up the park. Easter events are also held for families to enjoy.
Host Your Own Event
Eden Gardens State Park is a great place for special gatherings. You can rent parts of the park for events. People often hold family reunions, photo sessions, or even weddings here. If you want to learn more about hosting an event, you can contact the Park Reservationist.
Helping the Park: Friends of Eden Gardens
The "Friends of Eden Gardens State Park" is a group of volunteers. They help the park staff with many important tasks. These tasks include fixing things, keeping the park clean, and making it even better for everyone to enjoy.