Lay off the State Park system!

[FW]

We are very lucky that the State of Florida lets us dive at all in State Parks. They read these public forums, and can close down all cavediving in a heartbeat. Cavediving was banned in Lafayette County, and Gilchrist county for years, and it wouldn't be hard for the whole state to do the same thing. Before you point out that Ginnie is in Gilcrest county, I know that, but it is private land.

[skip]

Personally, Florida State Parks are among my favorites of any state. They take care of them, are concerned about what goes on in them, have some of the best and nicest people working in them, and the bang for the buck is the best anywhere. Everything can be better, no doubt about that, but when it comes to Florida State Parks, the room for improvement is mighty small.

You Floridians have it good, and because you do have it so good i suppose it makes it easier to complain about how it could be better (used to the best and you want more of it!). Florida has done and continues to do a great job with it's state parks

- How about a Cave Divers State Park Appreciation Day, an Annual tribute to the parks and staff, and yes even the government officials, a day cave divers serve the park free food and drink and entertainment?

-skip

[dweyant]

I agree.

$40 a year for a park pass is one heck of a bargain, and the parks are kept clean, safe and well maintaned.

Sure I would like 24/7 access to peacock, but it could be a lot worse that it is.

-Dan

[aainslie]

Telford is a nice example of why state parks are nice. It's scarier than hell going there! I'll gladly pay - and give up some freedoms - to have the parks kept in an ecologically sensible fashion, clean, and well-regulated. Actually if OFG is reading this, state parks are often an example of a POSITIVE form of governmental intervention.

...although I do wish there could be reconsideration on the solo diving issue. There's no serious evidence, statistical or otherwise, that solo diving markedly increases the risk of a dive. It's the one thing I'd love to see changed - I'm OK with limited hours, no scooters etc - but damn, I'd love to be able to do Peacock (and continue to do Little River) on my own!

[deepdiver4]

im with all of you I like ginnie but lets be honest you go to peacock you dont need to worrie a hole lot about your gear geting stolen you always see mrs ranger "hi janet your alsome" little river been their twice now and seen F W O walking around talkin to the divers you dont get that at ginnie... you get the staff that blows right by you on their moter cart
dont get me wrong i like ginnie but their price is way to high i would rather go to a state park ... thats my .02 on that
oh ya hats off to our state parks people !!!

[Wizard]

I like the park system in FL. The only two changes I would like to see is solo allowed with an Abe Davis or equivilant w/buddy bottle and allow diving 2 hours later than they do now.
I hope the internet divers don't give the FL people a bad taste. There is a lot of griping and grumbling that happens on the net. This board is kept cleaner and more true to the point than most. To get a feel for the actual cave diving community needs to come from taking time to meet and greet at the dive sites, not the seemingly endless rumor mill. The difference between the people that take the time working to open sites and the internet rant warriors are apples and oranges.
The true heros are the people that worked for years mapping, exploring and making this a safe sport. I would hate to think a bunch ranting and raving about very little got their work tossed in the toilet.
We need more diving and less speculating out loud.

[Mike]

I personally do not have one gripe about Florida's state park system.
It seems to be run better than most other states parks I have been too & I have been to hundreds from Fla. to Calif.
I have said it before & I will say it again, you can't beat diving for forty dollars a year.
I feel like I have a member ship to a great country club for a mere pittance.

My two centavos,
Mike M

[SLIM]

Love the way the FL SP work down there, trying to get the ones up here to do the same but it is a very long and hard work. Besuprised how many great systems we have that would be awsome to dive if we could get in.

I know that in time we might be able to dive a few more then what we have.

SLIM

[allen]

I will add my note of appreciation on Peacock. The ranger is pleasant and the setup is great. Tanks go from car trunk to rigging stand in one motion, and the Port-a-Potties are close at hand. Florida has done well in setting up one or more parks for every outdoor taste. Peacock for divers, Suwanee for hikers, Lake Kissimee for backpackers, Ichetucknee for tubers, etc. As some of the parks get crowded, it would be nice if the state legislature made more of them!

[jeandiver]

I love the Florida State Parks myself.
In the summer months doing a dive at Peacock or Madison WITHOUT fighting the huge crowds over at (you know where) is really nice.
Only a couple of tank stands at Ginnie and sometimes well , they are full.
Anyway , my 1.25 Cents worth!
For the price you pay for the annual pass , worth every penny and then some , fer sure !

Jeano Beano