White Springs named first Florida Trail Gateway Community
WHITE SPRINGS, FL – 12/18/06 – “Way down upon the Suwannee River,†where the carillon at Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park echoes up and down the riverbanks, one of Florida’s most charming and genteel antebellum towns awaits—White Springs. Once a destination for riverboats full of spa-going tourists, White Springs has been a destination for hikers since the 1960s, when Florida Trail Association volunteers began building the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River. And now, the town of White Springs is officially the first Florida Trail Gateway Community.
Recognizing the connection that the 1,400-mile Florida Trail, Florida’s own National Scenic Trail, provides between communities and the outdoors, the Florida Trail Gateway Community Program creates partnerships with communities to promote natural Florida as a destination for visitors to the state who increasingly ask for outdoor experiences and places to hike. Gateway Communities serve as a destination hub for these visitors, providing not just excellent hiking but access to other outdoor recreation opportunities. In White Springs, visitors can start their planning at the State of Florida Nature & Heritage Tourism Center; paddle, hike, and bike segments of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail; enjoy camping in several local campgrounds or relaxing at one of the B&Bs; learn more about the town on a historic walking tour; and sample great Southern cuisine at several cafes. White Springs is also home to the Florida Folk Festival, in its 55th year this upcoming Memorial Day weekend.Â
By proclaiming White Springs as Florida’s first Florida Trail Gateway Community, both the town of White Springs and the Florida Trail Association recognize its inherent nature-based and cultural heritage resources and will work hand-in-hand to encourage visitors to explore Florida’s charm—along the Florida Trail and more.
Communities such as White Springs that provide a day, weekend, or week-long destination for outdoor recreation are the focus of the Florida Trail Gateway Community Program. By pooling efforts to promote natural Florida and provide outdoor experiences for visitors, we can boost local economies and encourage preservation of our natural and cultural resources. For more information about the program, please contact Florida Trail Association Program Director Judy Trotta at (352) 378-8823 or judytrotta@floridatrail.org. For more information about White Springs, visit www.whitesprings.org.
FTA Staff @ December 18, 2006