Plans, Goals and Accomplishments 

Plans and Goals for the Next Three Fiscal Years

2024 - 2026

Strive to complete Annual Plans 

Emphasize attracting new members into our CSO as well as retaining current members

Recruit additional members into our Board of Directors, especially those who possess beneficial skills and energies

Send monthly emails about the CSO and park to CSO members

Continue to update our Facebook page

Purchase materials and/or labor as needed to maintain or improve the kayak launch area, as well as equipment used for kayak tours and classes.

Fund and provide staffing for The Villages annual Outdoors Recreation Expo and other events as they arise

Fund and provide staffing for the park’s annual Kids Fishing Clinic

Fund and assist with adding outdoor activities

Attend the annual FSP/CSO symposium

Recruit and Qualify additional Paddle Tour Guides

Develop and fund new marketing ideas

To the extent possible – meet unanticipated funding and staffing needs of the park’s manager and volunteers

Accomplishments

2023

Provided daytime Kayak Eco Tours, nighttime kayak Moonlight Tours and Kayak 101 Classes to 387 participants.

CSO membership is at 98 members as of December 31, 2023.

Sent monthly emails of various topics to all CSO members

Used social media platforms to engage with our targeted audience Created QR codes for Facebook Page and Website.

Contacts with a local news paper reporter from Daily Sun helped increase the number of articles about the park. The Daily Sun reaches over 100,000 readers.

Purchased firewood and sold to campground customers. Using QR code to purchase directly from FLGSP website.

Paid for the repair of one of the parks golf carts. 

Purchased four folding tables for the parks Fishing Clinic and to be used for other events.

Purchased 12 lightweight kayak paddles to be used for kayak eco tours.

Purchased lumber to repair picnic tables and paint to re-stripe parking lot.

Assisted in the Fishing Clinic and purchased hot dogs and condiments for the event.

Funded Halloween Pumpkin Party for kids.

Purchased a Bighorn Explorer 400 UTV.

Participated in Outdoor Expo, Everglades Recreation Center in March and Government Day on November 4th at Eisenhower Recreation Center, The Villages.

Funded a Kids Decorating Christmas Party.

Accomplishments

2022

Provided daytime kayak Eco-Tours, nighttime kayak Moonlight Tours, and Kayak 101 Classes to 320 customers.

Increased the CSO membership from 86 to 100 members.  

Sent monthly emails of various topics to all CSO members

Updated and posted articles on our Facebook page.

Contacts with a local newspaper reporter helped increase the number of articles about the park.  The paper reaches over 100,000 readers.

Purchased firewood and sold it to campers.

Provided a dinner for park volunteers before most left for the summer months.

Talked with over a hundred people at our booth at the Villages Outdoor Expo

Talked with over a hundred people at our booth at the Villages Government Day

A boat and motor donated to the CSO in 2021 was sold for $15,000 and the money will be used for park projects.

Purchased a new motor for the park’s pontoon boat

Provided equipment and food for the Kids Fishing Clinic.  Many members volunteered to help the children during the clinic.

Purchased four single kayaks for the park

Renewed two years of WildApricot for our website

Purchased stickers, coozies, and smart phone credit card holders for sale in the park office

Purchased a lift basket with harness to be used to help trim trees

Purchased metal conduit to replace existing weathered PVC handrails along park walkways