Below is a copy of a letter sent to Ms. Katy Fenton from a Mom in Ocala Florida about Wild Waters which Katy Fenton ignored.

A similar letter was sent to other members of the Silver Springs Advisory Group such as Mr. Lew Scruggs, Chief Office of Park Planning and they chose to ignore pleas to preserve Wild Waters from Florida citizens.

 

Dear Ms. Fenton,

It is my understanding that you are a member of the Silver Springs Advisory Group.

It has been reported that the Silver Springs Advisory Group has made plans to close our Water Park and substitute the Water Park with swimming in the springs.

Almost three months ago, a petition was created to let people express how they felt about plans to eliminate Wild Waters.

As of today’s date over 3,000 signatures has been received in support of keeping Wild Waters open. Comments has been received from all over Florida, all over the United States and our troops in the Mid East, condemning the Advisory Group recommending closure of the Water Park.

You can view some of the comments here – https://wildwatersocala.com/comments

When you read the comments, you will see people expressing that they have cherished memories and a strong attachment to Wild Waters. They want it to stay open from now on and do not want it to be closed.

Swimming in the springs will never be a substitute for a Water Park. It is not what the people want and we will not patronize it.

The ultimate purpose of the Park Service and the State of Florida should be to serve the people. The Advisory Group and Florida Park Service plans to eliminate Wild Waters are in direct opposition to what the people want.

This video proves eliminating Wild Waters is a preference by the Park Service, rather than a necessity – http://youtu.be/bKN3TLN7H-c

I must say the reason given in the video is a poor excuse to deny thousands of people here in Central Florida our Water Park.

Mr. Bobby Genovese, chairman of BG Capital Group the financial backer behind Silver Springs Management which is the concessionaire for Silver Springs has committed considerable financial resources to restore and rebuild Wild Waters.

Mr. Genovese stated in a Star Banner on June 4, 2014; “Our goal is to operate it (Wild Waters) so successfully that there is no doubt in anybody’s mind that this park needs to be here for the next 20 to 30 years. You could almost call it a landmark, and I didn’t want to see it disappear”.

He stated that he hopes one day to rebuild the park’s attendance to the 1,500 visitors per day it once enjoyed on its biggest days. He also envisions a time when the neighboring parks will complement each other, with the former Silver Springs features being bundled with Wild Waters so people could enjoy both.

With such a commitment by the chairman of BG Capital Group, there is no reason why closing Wild Waters should even be considered.

You can read the article here – http://www.ocala.com/article/20140604/ARTICLES/140609862/1454?Title=Water-park-more-mild-than-wild-opening-set-for-June-12

This could help generate jobs and revenue for Ocala and Central Florida. There are comments in the petition from people all over the United Sates who say they visit Ocala every year and look forward to going to Wild Waters.

There is very little entertainment in Ocala as it is. If our Water Park were to be closed it would be devastating to thousands of families, children and teens in Central Florida who enjoy going there every year during the summer. It will also cause the loss of traditional summer jobs for young people.

We are asking every Advisory Group member to reconsider their position and take action to make sure Wild Waters is preserved for the families, children and teens in Central Florida.

SIGNATURE –

 

Below is the complete list of Silver Springs Advisory Group Members.

Government Officials

Mr. Lew Scruggs
( Newspaper articles with his comments “Wild Waters days are numbered” and “Silver Springs Advisory Group Recommends Closing Wild Waters“ )

Advisory Group Member
Chief Office of Park Planning
Division of Recreation and Parks
850-245-3051
Email: Lewis.scruggs@dep.state.fl.us..

Katy Fenton, Deputy Secretary Land and Recreation
Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., M.S. 44
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3000
Email: Katy.Fenton@dep.state.fl.us
(850) 245-2043

Stan McClain
Marion County Commissioner
601 S.E. 25th Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
Phone: 352-438-2323
Email Stan McClain
https://twitter.com/StanMcClain / @StanMcClain

Kent Guinn
Mayor of Ocala
110 S.E. Watula Avenue
Ocala, FL 34471
Email: KGuinn@ocalafl.org
O- 352-401-3977
C- 352-572-0312

Dr. Thomas J. Lane, Chair Marion Soil & Water Conservation District

Business Representatives
Kevin T. Sheilley, President & CEO Ocala/Marion County Chamber & Economic Partnership

Loretta Shaffer, Executive Director Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau

Adjacent Landowner:
Navroz Saju, CEO/President HDG Hotels

Environmental Resource Groups
Andy Kesselring, President Silver Springs Alliance

Representative: Guy Marwick

Judy Greenburg, President
Marion Audubon Society

Representative:
Mary Trowbridge

Cultural/Educational Groups
Morrey Deen, President Fort King Heritage Association

Scott Mitchell, Museum Director Silver River Museum

User Groups and Volunteers
Jacque Steer, Chair Florida Crackers Chapter

Judi Allison, President Altoona Trail Riders Association

Carolyn Channave, President Marion County Aquaholics Representative: Chris Spontak

Jane Kaufman, President Friends of Silver River State Park

Land Management Agencies

Travis Blunden, Conservation Biologist Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Justin Kilcrease, Manager Indian Lakes State Forest

Tim Parsons, Compliance Review Supervisor
Division of Historical Resources

Sally Lieb
Manager Silver River State Park
1425 N.E. 58th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34470
Phone (352) 266-5819
Email: Sally.Lieb@dep.state.fl.us

J. B. Miller, Biologist St. Johns River Water Management District

Mike Herrin, Ranger Ocala National Forest

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