Everglades Holiday Park facts for kids

Everglades Holiday Park (EHP) is a fun wildlife park located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It covers 29 acres of wetlands and is always open to visitors. People often call it the "Gateway to the Everglades" because it's a great starting point to explore this huge natural area.

At the park, you can enjoy exciting airboat rides that take you deep into the Everglades. You can also watch live alligator shows, go fishing, and spot different kinds of wildlife. The park also hosts educational programs to teach people about the Everglades and its animals. It's the only place in Broward County where you can easily get into the Everglades.

Since it opened in 1983, Everglades Holiday Park has been a popular spot for both learning and entertainment. It helps visitors discover the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States.

The Park's Story

Everglades Holiday Park was started by George M. Bridges. He used to be a tobacco farmer and knew a lot about building things. In 1982, he decided to try something new. He built his very first airboat in his backyard!

George put all his money and time into building more airboats. He wanted to create a park where people could learn about and enjoy the Everglades. By June 1982, Everglades Holiday Park was officially open. Today, George's son, Clint, helps run the park every day, keeping it a family business.

Park Land

The land where Everglades Holiday Park sits was given to Broward County in 1964. The rule was that the land could only be used for "public recreation." This means it's meant for everyone to enjoy fun outdoor activities.

Since 1992, a company called Bridges, Inc. has been the main group helping to run the park. The county and the park are now looking at ways to make the park even better and offer more programs for visitors.

Exciting Future Plans

Many people want Everglades Holiday Park to grow and offer even more cool things to do. There are plans to add new facilities and make improvements. But don't worry, everyone is working together to make sure the park keeps its natural beauty and history.

Some ideas for new things include:

• Eco-friendly buildings: These are buildings designed to be good for the environment.
• New parking areas: Making it easier to park your car.
• Bridges: To help you get around the park more easily.
• More restrooms: For your comfort.
• Air-conditioned cabins: You could rent these for a comfy stay.
• New trails: For walking and exploring.
• Updated campground: A better place to camp overnight.
• Zip line: For an exciting ride through the air!
• Rock climbing: A fun challenge for adventurers.

The Gator Boys

Everglades Holiday Park is home to the Gator Boys Alligator Rescue team. These amazing people teach everyone about how important it is to protect and save the Everglades and its alligators.

The Gator Boys are alligator trappers. They safely catch alligators that wander into neighborhoods near the Everglades. Then, they bring these alligators to the park. The park gives the gators a safe home. This is important because otherwise, these alligators might be harmed.

The Gator Boys team even has their own TV show on Animal Planet called Gator Boys. They film many of their episodes right at Everglades Holiday Park!

Images for kids

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  An airboat tour in Everglades Holiday Park