Blue Spring, Orange City

[metaldector]

Okay, I was the person who reported that the sign had been vandalized to the Blue Spring Park management. I also email a couple of people on this board who placed the sign that it was missing. A week after its destruction TJ called me and said that his shop had received a phone call from the assistant Park Manager of Blue Spring venting about the vandalism and threaten to close the park to scuba diving! I called the assistant Park Manager's cell phone and left a message for her to call and discuss the issues which had provoked her call, (She never returned my call). She told TJ that she was calling all of the local shops to inform them of this pending decision. I called several local shops to confirm her statement but none of them received a phone call from her? However, all of the shops volunteered to replace and install the missing sign at their expense.
Clearly there is a problem with vandalism at Blue Spring; the walls have graffiti on them with trees tossed in making their way to the bottom. Every diver I’ve spoken to suggest that the densest graffiti is done by swimmers since the density peters out at about 30 feet. However, whenever I have talked with Park officials offering to clean up the spring it falls on deaf ears. Perhaps there is someone here who has a closer relationship to Park Management that can open a discussion on what problems have caused the assistant Park Manager’s concern. Let’s be reminded that all of the signs placed in Blue Springs were placed there by divers and never cost the state a cent. We pay the same entrance fees, and we are entitled to the use of the Park as is anyone else.
I will gladly help install a new sign or act in any capacity to insure BS stays open to divers.

[tflaris]

I would suggest reaching out to Kelly Jessop. He may have some contacts. I would be more than happy to assist in any way possible.

Tony Flaris
NSS-CDS Vice Chairman
904-210-4550
tflaris@me.com

[jj1987]

Okay, I was the person who reported that the sign had been vandalized to the Blue Spring Park management. I also email a couple of people on this board who placed the sign that it was missing. A week after its destruction TJ called me and said that his shop had received a phone call from the assistant Park Manager of Blue Spring venting about the vandalism and threaten to close the park to scuba diving! I called the assistant Park Manager's cell phone and left a message for her to call and discuss the issues which had provoked her call, (She never returned my call). She told TJ that she was calling all of the local shops to inform them of this pending decision. I called several local shops to confirm her statement but none of them received a phone call from her? However, all of the shops volunteered to replace and install the missing sign at their expense.
Clearly there is a problem with vandalism at Blue Spring; the walls have graffiti on them with trees tossed in making their way to the bottom. Every diver I’ve spoken to suggest that the densest graffiti is done by swimmers since the density peters out at about 30 feet. However, whenever I have talked with Park officials offering to clean up the spring it falls on deaf ears. Perhaps there is someone here who has a closer relationship to Park Management that can open a discussion on what problems have caused the assistant Park Manager’s concern. Let’s be reminded that all of the signs placed in Blue Springs were placed there by divers and never cost the state a cent. We pay the same entrance fees, and we are entitled to the use of the Park as is anyone else.
I will gladly help install a new sign or act in any capacity to insure BS stays open to divers.

This park is one of the most diver UNfriendly parks in the entire state park system. I don't know that it's this specific incident, or if it's the fact that they've wanted rid of divers and this is a good opportunity to take advantage of.

[Superlyte27]

This park is one of the most diver UNfriendly parks in the entire state park system. I don't know that it's this specific incident, or if it's the fact that they've wanted rid of divers and this is a good opportunity to take advantage of.

I actually feel the same way. Every time I go there I swear I'll never go again.

[Kelly Jessop]

I would suggest reaching out to Kelly Jessop. He may have some contacts. I would be more than happy to assist in any way possible.

Tony Flaris
NSS-CDS Vice Chairman
904-210-4550
tflaris@me.com

Maybe it is time to develop a relationship with the park,and the management. Park managers are constantly asked to do more with less,and support from the community goes along way toward developing that relationship. It is great that the sign is being replaced,but what else can be done to foster a relationship? Grafitti is mentioned,which I guarantee is a sore in the side of the park with what transpired last year. Has anybody come forward with a desire to fix it,and educate divers using the park about grafitti is vandalism punishable under Florida law? The local shops will be thought of as local vendors,and less like support of the resource. I see Blue Springs has a support organization ( http://www.bluespringflorida.com/ ) ,does anybody belong and PARTICIPATE? In other comments in this thread I see it regarded as the most diver unfriendly park,realize there once was a time that Peacock was that way,but things have changed a lot with working with the park,and developing the relationship.

[Diverlee]

I think that sounds like a good idea.

I would go there at least twice a year if I knew I could dive. Don't want to drive 3 hours to be told I can't dive. I used to go and do a dive them spend the day.

Thanks for ur post and the link to the Friends of Blue Springs.

[sskasser]

The day we installed the most recent sign, we spent quite a bit of time talking with the rangers. We also helped them out by cutting off cypress knees underwater in the swimming area. They were concerned about the graffiti in the cave then and asked for photos.

Kelly, what do you mean by "with what transpired last year"? Did something happen there that I missed?

[corvettejoe]

They were very friendly and helpful to us when we put in the sign. They were happy that someone wanted to volunteer to take time to do this and the other stuff Shirley mentioned above.

We also make sure to educate divers we see doing the wrong thing at this site and notify park management if we see something that shouldn't be happening. Each time they are always courteous and friendly to us (It's usually an older black lady, she's always very nice to us whenever we go).

I think some of the unfriendliness is probably caused by the large cattle classes that storm in there and aren't respectful to the park.

I hope those are just idle threats they are making. It's the closest thing we have to a cave to dive in Orlando for a good quick morning dive.

[GLM]

I actually feel the same way. Every time I go there I swear I'll never go again.

I agree based on my observations when diving there. Rude staff and that's being nice (YMMV disclaimer here). It's a pretty dull dive especially when coupled with rudeness. They could learn a thing or two from the WSPSSP folks. It's a great aerobic work out to get to the spring though!

[aquadog196]

Over the years I can recount many instances where good intentioned divers report this or that to Park Rangers that in the end only cause us more anxiety or problems. Should we by now have learned to keep some concerns within our community? Most rangers are well intentioned but may have a giant knee jerk reaction to what may have been a small matter brought to their attention.