Gemini Springs Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gemini Springs Park |
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Gemini Springs Park. View from the footbridge crossing the bayou looking toward the east. The fishing pier is in the distance.
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| Location | DeBary, Volusia County, Florida |
| Area | 210 acres (85 ha; 0.33 sq mi) |
| Created | October 27, 1996 |
| Operated by | Volusia County Parks, Recreation and Culture Division |
| Visitors | 57,755 (2005 estimate) |
| Open | Sunrise to sunset |
Gemini Springs Park is a cool public park in DeBary, Florida. It's super big, about 210-acre (85 ha) (that's like 160 football fields!). The park is famous for its two natural springs that bubble up with fresh water. It opened in 1996 and sits right next to a beautiful bayou (a slow-moving stream) that leads to Lake Monroe (Florida).
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Explore Gemini Springs Park
Gemini Springs Park is found in DeBary, Florida. It's located northwest of Lake Monroe (Florida), right on the DeBary Bayou. This park covers 210-acre (85 ha) of lovely wooded land.
Amazing Natural Springs
Every day, about 6.5 million gallons of fresh water flow from the park's two amazing springs! It's like a giant natural water fountain.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
Gemini Springs Park has lots of cool stuff for you to enjoy:
- A fishing pier where you can try to catch some fish.
- A special fenced area for dogs to play safely.
- Picnic spots with pavilions for lunch or snacks.
- Trails for biking and hiking through nature.
- A playground for kids to have fun.
- Campsites if you want to stay overnight.
- Clean restrooms for visitors.
History of Gemini Springs Park
The land where Gemini Springs Park is now used to be a cattle ranch. A family named Saundra and Charles Gray bought a big part of this land in 1969. They raised a special type of cattle there. The Grays kept most of the land natural. They even built a small dam near the springs. This created a reservoir (a kind of lake) in the bayou.
Protecting the Land
In the 1980s, the Grays wanted to build houses on some of the land. They also thought about making the bayou deeper for boats. But people who cared about nature (environmentalists) were worried. They wanted to protect the springs and the natural area. They asked the county to buy the land to keep it as a park.
Buying the Park Land
It took a few years, but in 1994, the Gemini Springs property was bought. Volusia County worked with other groups to buy the land. They paid $5.65 million to make sure it would become a park for everyone to enjoy.
Building the Park
After buying the land, Volusia County needed money to build the park. They got the funds in the next two years. In 1996, they spent about $1.1 million to add cool things. They built a floating dock for swimming, picnic areas, a wooden fishing pier, and footbridges. They also added a playground and restrooms.
Park Opening and Changes
Gemini Springs Park officially opened on October 27, 1996. When it first opened, lots of people came to visit, especially to swim in the reservoir.
However, in 2000, the swimming area had to close. Health officials found a type of bacteria in the water that made it unsafe for swimming. The swimming area has not opened again since then. After the swimming area closed, fewer people visited the park. So, the county stopped charging an entrance fee.
In 2005, a new fenced dog park was added. It has separate areas for big dogs and small dogs. This made the park even more fun for families with pets!
