Koreshan State Park Now Open!
Limited amenities at this time. Prepayment preferred for entry. Click here to pre-purchase or use the below QR codes. Visit FloridaStateParks.org Safety Updates page and individual Park Alerts for the latest news on Koreshan and other Florida state parks.
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While the park was closed, our hardworking staff and wonderful volunteers took advantage of the downtime. Read on to learn more!
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Victorian Bridge Repaired and Repainted
This volunteer-made bridge has stood the test of time. Lately though, it has needed some TLC. While the park was closed we were able to repair and restore this replica “Victorian Bridge” to its former luster. This bridge is the site of many weddings, past and future, so we are grateful to give it the TLC it needed.
The top two images below are the "before," the bottom two are the "after."
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Ranger Station Facelift
The Ranger Station has received a long overdue make-over! The first step was the walls. They went from a dingy two-color gray to a nice fresh Dove White--nice and fresh-looking! The bathroom, which was a baby blue, received the same color treatment. A new medicine chest and wall cabinet really updated the little room!
The windows were another big change. They were cleaned, scraped of all the old, deteriorating tint, and the old brown metal blinds came down. After that, we refreshed them with new, light-gray roller shades that offered heat and sun protection.
Before we had all this down-time and our volunteers were still present, our woodcrafters created new shelving from our Monkey Puzzle tree we lost during Hurricane Irma. These new shelves now grace the walls of the Ranger Station and proudly display handmade wood-turned bowls made by local craftsmen from the Monkey Puzzle tree.
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The "Rot" of the Problem
While assessing the campground bathhouse, we discovered, among other issues, the siding was rotting. We identified the gutters as a big part of the problem. We removed the vegetation and dirt from around the building exterior and added crushed shell for better drainage. We then had contractors install new gutters. Next step was to repair the interior walls, and of course once you take down a wall, inevitably you uncover another problem. We found several rotted beams and ALL the drywall needed replacing. We repaired/replaced all, and with a fresh coat of paint, it now looks as good as new!
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Attention Photographers and Videographers!
Have you photographed or filmed/videoed in Koreshan State Park? Send us your images and footage for possible inclusion in our new website, newsletters and popular Facebook page! If selected, you will have your photos and videos/films featured with a link to your website and/or Facebook page. Nature/landscape/architectural shots and videos preferred, but all submissions will be considered. Send your photos or, if you have video or film, a link to your work to friendsofkoreshan@gmail.com. Please include your Facebook URL and handle and/or website address, and follow us on Facebook to see if your work was selected! |
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Become a Friend of the Koreshans!
The Friends of Koreshan State Park enjoy free park admission, retail discounts, invitations to member-only special events and outings, their own newsletter, among other perks! We have three levels of memberships you can explore here.
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Support Friends of Koreshan State Park
Your generous tax-deductible contributions to the Friends of Koreshan help us continue our mission to support Koreshan State Park. Please contribute by donating, volunteering your time or shopping on AmazonSmile and GoodShop to donate a percentage of your purchases to the Friends. |
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 The First Time Estero Became a Village
by Roger Parlin, Volunteer, Docent, Tour Guide
Estero, Florida first became a village after a meeting of all area registered voters in September 1904, before the general election that year. The Koreshans even created a town seal: the sun rising over a waterscape with a swan floating on the water, at the top, a six-pointed star representing the Seal of Solomon. [read more]
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