- Washington Oaks State Gardens
Infobox_protected_area | name = Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
iucn_category = V
caption =Matanzas River on the western side of the park
locator_x =
locator_y =
location =Flagler County, Florida , USA
nearest_city =Palm Coast, Florida
lat_degrees = 29
lat_minutes = 38
lat_seconds = 06
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 81
long_minutes = 12
long_seconds = 14
long_direction = W
area =
established =
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = FloridaDepartment of Environmental Protection Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a Florida State Park located near
Palm Coast, Florida , along A1A. The park is most famous for its formal gardens, but it also preserves the original habitat of a northeastFlorida barrier island .Ecology
Habitats preserved by the park include
beach , coastal scrub, coastal hammock, and tidal marshes.Flora
Vegetation includes
live oak s,magnolia s, hickories,sabal palm s, andsaw palmetto s. Plants that can be found in the gardens arerose s,camellia s, andazalea s, among others.Fauna
Wildlife includesea turtle s, gopher tortoises,manatee s,deer ,raccoon s,bobcat s,fox es,opossum s,gray squirrel s,Pileated Woodpecker s, Northern Cardinals,Bald Eagle s,Peregrine Falcon s, and theFlorida Scrub-Jay .History
The park's land has a rich history. Native Americans found the area a productive hunting and fishing area. After European settlement of Florida, the property had a number of owners and was used for various agricultural purposes. One owner was a surveyor named George Washington, a relative of President George Washington. In
1936 , Louise Powis Clark, wife of the industrialist Owen D. Young purchased the property as a winter retirement home. She devised the name "Washington Oaks" for the property and is responsible for developing the park's formal gardens, citrus groves, and house. Mr. Young died in1962 and Mrs. Young donated the property to the State of Florida in1964 . Her donation specified that the "gardens be maintained in their present form".Recreational Activities
The park has such amenities as beaches (on both the
Matanzas River andAtlantic Ocean ),bicycling ,fishing ,hiking ,picnic king areas and wildlife viewing. The original residence has been converted into avisitor center with interpretive exhibits.Hours and admission
FLparkhrs An admission fee is required.
References and external links
* [http://www.floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks/default.cfm Washington Oaks State Gardens] at [http://www.floridastateparks.org Florida State Parks]
* [http://floridaparks.com/stprks/central/washingtonoaks.htm Washington Oaks State Gardens] at [http://floridaparks.com State Parks]
* [http://members.atlantic.net/~lperry/oakpark.htm Washington Oaks State Gardens] at [http://members.atlantic.net/~lperry/tourroost.htm Tour Crane's Roost]
* [http://www.abfla.com/parks/WashingtonOaks/washingtonoaks.html Washington Oaks State Gardens] at [http://www.abfla.com Absolutely Florida]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.