The Friends of Lake Griffin State Park
The Friends raise money through membership, donations, selling firewood to campers, and scheduling kayak tours for Lake Griffin State Park. One hundred (100%) percent of the money we make is used to support the park. We help the park purchase equipment that is not in the park budget saving Florida taxpayers thousands of dollars every year. Some of our projects include:
To see our previous years Accomplishments and Goals click here. | Explore the “Real Florida” Walk our expanded hiking trail, bring a picnic, go fishing, rent a kayak or canoe, or sign up for a tour of the Dead River Marsh. Sign up for a
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How to Set Up a Private Eco-Tour |
Private Eco-Tours are informative and fun. You can be with people you know in your neighborhood, club or family. Our tour guides will work with you to help set up a Private Eco-Tour for your group. Here is information you need to help set up a private tour:
We hope to see you and your friends at the park sometime in the near future. |
Citizen Support Organization Meetings
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A Need for Golf Carts |
Lake Griffin State Park staff and volunteers use golf carts to move workers, tools, and materials for repairs, maintenance, and special projects. They also use the carts to take visitors with disabilities around the park. The park needs several carts to replace old ones. If you have a new golf cart or plan to purchase one, we invite you to donate your old cart to the park. Friends of Lake Griffin State Park (FLGSP.org) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) citizen support organization dedicated to supporting the park through volunteering, fundraising, and in-kind donations. Your golf cart donation may be tax deductible. |
For those that have an injury or disability, a golf cart can be used for transportation around the park. A park ranger can show you plants and wildlife along a trail, or transport you to the playground, pavilion, or amphitheater. |
WE NEED YOUR HELP! VOLUNTEER The Friends of Lake Griffin State Park needs volunteers to help our membership, events and other committees. Kayak Tours Become a Florida State Parks kayak and canoe guide. We will train you. Our Website (FLGSP.org) Help take care of our website. Special Projects Help us with basic construction and repairs, brush clearing, and other minor projects. News Articles Go to the park and take pictures of something interesting. Write a short article about the picture and sent it to us for use on our website and Facebook. Graphic Arts Help us develop eye-catching brochures, flyers, and posters. If you don’t have time to volunteer, your donations of money and goods are always appreciated. |
Fishing Clinic - Teaching children about fishing equipment and how to fish Enjoying their private tour
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Lake Griffin State Park Tour Guides Flo Hurlburt, Jeanne Haynes, and Stephanie Hayano are a few of the Lake Griffin State Park guides that completed certification as Florida State Parks Certified Paddle Tour Guides. Certification includes testing of kayaking skills, safety and assisted water rescue techniques, First Aid and CPR/AED training, and completion of the U.S. Coast Guard safe boaters online course. These guides are residents of The Villages and are also active members of the Villages Canoe and Kayak Club, participating in paddle trips throughout Florida. Lake Griffin State Park has 13 certified Florida State Park Paddle Tour Guides. |
Flo Hurlburt retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Master Sergeant, after serving 27 years. Her ultimate assignment was Superintendent of the Surgical Suite and Central Sterile Supply at the military hospital at Offutt Air Force Base, headquarters of the U.S. Strategic Command, in Nebraska. She’s currently a member of Tri-County Women Veterans, and serves on the Veterans Memorial Park Honor Guard and the Tri-County Women Veterans Color Guard. Flo moved to The Villages from her previous home in Omaha, Nebraska. Flo has kayaked for over 10 years in Florida. Jeanne Haynes was an avid paddler and hiker in north Georgia where she lived before retiring to The Villages. Her love of Florida’s State Parks began when she became a volunteer pontoon boat captain and eco tour guide at Homosassa Springs State Park. Jeanne also volunteers with The Villages Honor Flight as a Guardian. Before moving to The Villages, she was public affairs director for a major electric utility in Georgia. Before moving to The Villages, Stephanie Hayano served as a senior executive of an international cosmetics and beauty products corporation. She paddled frequently in the Hudson, Delaware, and Housatonic Rivers, and Long Island Sound. She was previously certified by the American Canoe Association as a Level 1 Instructor, and completed the American Red Cross certification in First Aid/AED/CPR. |  Flo Hurlburt
Jeanne Haynes
Stephanie Hayano |
