Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 6, 2026

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, [email protected]

Florida State Parks Breaks Ground on New Visitor Center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

Groundbreaking for new visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.

WAKULLA SPRINGS, Fla. - Today, Florida State Parks celebrated the groundbreaking of a new visitor center at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Designed to provide an immersive, multi-faceted visitor experience, the center will highlight Wakulla Springs' unique natural and cultural significance and help accommodate growing demand as Florida's population and number of visitors continue to rise.

The new facility will expand meeting spaces, interpretive exhibits and educational programming while complementing the Spanish Mediterranean Revival architecture of the park's Lodge. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.

"This new visitor center will give more people the chance to experience Wakulla Springs' natural beauty and rich cultural history in a modern, engaging way," said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Alexis A. Lambert. "Projects like this also strengthen the surrounding community by attracting visitors, supporting local businesses and showcasing why Florida State Parks are recognized as the best in the nation."

Known as the "Gem of Northwest Florida," Wakulla Springs is one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. The park is home to diverse wildlife and extensive underwater cave systems and has long attracted visitors and filmmakers alike. Scenes from the classic films The Creature from the Black Lagoon and Tarzan's Secret Treasure were filmed at the spring.

Florida State Parks are widely recognized as the best in the nation, earning the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management four times. They are also a significant economic driver for communities across the state. Last fiscal year, Florida State Parks welcomed more than 28 million visitors, generating an estimated $3.6 billion in economic impact statewide. Continued investments in park infrastructure and visitor amenities helps ensure Florida State Parks maintain that standard while protecting the natural resources that make them special.

Learn more about Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and plan your visit at FloridaStateParks.org.

New visitor center at Wakulla Springs State Park.

Conceptual interior with educational and exhibit spaces.

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