The Friends raise money through membership, donations, selling firewood to campers, and hosting kayak tours for Lake Griffin State Park. One hundred percent of the money we make is used to support the park.  We help the park purchase materials anad equipment that is not in the park budget, saving Florida taxpayers thousands of dollars every year. Some of our projects include:

• Purchased new stable, sit-on-top kayaks for our paddle tours.
  
• Purchased durable mats and built a kayak storage system for the kayak launch area.
• Purchased and installed a fitness trail with 9 exercise stations. 
• Purchased a Kubota utility vehicle for heavy-duty maintenance and cleanup projects.
• Purchased lumber and stain to refurbish picnic tables. 
• Purchased a motor for the park's pontoon boat. 
• Reduced workload for park staff by setting up online registration system for kayak tours and basic kayaking classes. 
  
• Provided funds to help build a restroom at the maintenance building 
• Ongoing support for ranger programs and projects.

To see our previous years Accomplishments and Goals click here.

Explore the “Real Florida”

Walk our expanded hiking trail, bring a picnic, go fishing, or sign up for a guided kayak tour of the park's wetlands eco-system. Sign up for a:

• Daytime or sunset kayak tour
• Kayak 101 class
• Private eco-tour with family or friends

How to Set Up a Private Eco-Tour

Private Eco-Tours are informative and fun as you share the experience 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's how it works:

• Organize a group of 4 – 12 individuals. Tours are appropriate for teens and adults. No kayaking experience needed. 
  
• Decide on several possible dates, and contact us a few weeks in advance, so we can coordinate with our volunteer guides. Tours can be any day of the week, and are generally in the morning, but afternoons may be possible.
  
• Email us at FriendsofLGSP@gmail.com.  Give us a description of your group and your proposed dates. If guides are available on one of your dates, we’ll work out the details with you by email or phone.
  
• We’ll set up a private tour on our web site Tours page, using a code word so only members of your group can sign up for that tour. Participants register, sign the waiver, and pay on line.
  
• Tours are 1 ½ to 2 hours in length, and will be led by 2 or 3 Florida State Parks certified paddle tour guides. 
  
• The cost is $30 per person which includes: single sit-on-top kayak, paddle, life jacket, and whistle. If you bring your own kayak, which must be more than 11 feet in length, the cost is $25 per person.
  
• If the weather is not suitable (generally due to rain or wind) the tour guides will cancel the tour. You’ll have a choice to receive a full refund or to reschedule. 
  

We hope to see you and your friends at the park sometime in the near future.

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. From time to time, 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. 

We welcome 2-seat or 4-seat carts, preferably gas-powered, but also battery-powered with newer batteries. For more information, contact the Friends of Lake Griffin State Park at "FriendsofLGSP@gmail.com” and send your email and phone number.

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.