Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks

09/11/2026

A huge thank you to the RiverGrille on the Tomoka, for another great fundraising campaign to benefit the Friends of Tomoka Basin! The RiverGrille raised $2,943 over the summer which will go directly into supporting our parks. One of our greatest advocates and partners, I am truely grateful they have chosen to give back to their community in this way. Since the 1940's, Tomoka Basin State Parks have been incredbily relevent and valuable to our community. We applaude the River Grille for recognizing this importance and putting their support into action.

On another note, please help me to congratulate Assistant Park Manager Eno Slaughter (2nd from left). Eno has taken a new position as Park Manager of Ravine Gardens State Park. As a friends member, I have been deeply impacted by Eno's consistent support, leadership, and dedication to our parks. Thank you Eno, and best of luck in your new position!

09/03/2026

The still at Barberville Pioneer Settlement is perhaps the last standing turpentine still in the state of Florida. It was relocated from Tomoka to the Pioneer Settlement to preserve it among the other historic buildings there. Barberville is a nice 40 minute drive west of the park, highly recommended.

These stills processed raw pine resin into turpentine and rosin, used for a number of purposes but especially in the naval industry as waterproofing.

Cat-faced trees through Tomoka Basin tell the story of the Florida turpentine industry, which thrived from the late 1800's through the 1920's. Some turpentine industry remained in the state through the 1970's, when epoxies and other alternatives became more prevalent.

09/03/2026

The indigo demonstration area at Bulow Plantation Ruins is coming in nicely after a major overhall by volunteer Van. Thanks also to volunteer Jody for donating plants, and volunteer Steve for helping fix the demonstration vats.

Through a toxic, dangerous process, enslaved labour was used to turn the plant into the valuable blue dye. It has grown wild since introduction in the British Period (1763-1784), and was later cultivated at Bulow and Ormond's plantations. Several varieties of introduced plantation indigo can still be found growing throughout the state, a reminder of our past. For more information, check out the upcoming addition of the friends newsletter.

09/01/2026

Bald Eagle spotted in the park today!

08/21/2026

Working in the park this week, Ranger Bri came across this beautiful rare plant, Florida Coastal Bluecurls. The unique peninsula of Tomoka State Park allows for a variety of habitats for many rare and endangered species (like the gopher tortoise) to thrive.

Grateful for our parks, and the rangers, volunteers, and visitors who keep them going!

08/18/2026

Bulow Woods Trail update: Tomoka Staff and volunteers recently replaced the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd bridges from the north end. These bridges are a huge improvement and look great. Up next is the "twin bridges" area. Park staff are looking for options for the largest bridge over the wide Korona canal, which when finished will once again connect the nearly 7 miles from the Fairchild Oak to Bulow Plantation.

The portions open now are in good shape, slightly muddy but not too bad. In between the thunderstorms this time of year, there are some good times to get out on our trails right now. See you out there!

08/14/2026

08/13/2026

Thats not sugarcane!

Before a major escalation in the Seminole War, Tomoka Basin State Parks and our area once had many sugar plantations: the British Mount Oswald (1766) in Tomoka, several through Bulow Creek, and at Bulow Plantation Ruins.

This patch of invasive Giant Reed (Arundo donax), pictured, grows in an easement before entering Bulow Plantation Ruins. Many people have told me its Sugar Cane (S. officinarum).

This exact area is described by Militia Volunteer William Wragg Smith in 1836 as having been a sugar field, but the sugar is now gone.

One can be forgiven for thinking Giant Reed is Sugar Cane, the two have a lot on common. The reed looks similar, and sugar cane can reach up to 20' (giant reed goes to 30').

Despite the many mills and thousands of acres once under cultivation, no wild sugar cane remains in our area. The crop is relatively hardy, except in a freeze. Of the sea island cotton, rice, sugar, indigo and other plantation crops once cultivated here, only the indigo remains from the plantation days.

08/08/2026

☀️ There’s still time to make a difference—right here at home! 🌿

Head over to RiverGrille on the Tomoka and enjoy one of their featured summer menu items. For every featured item purchased, $1 is donated to Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks, helping support and protect our beautiful local parks. 🌴🌊

⏳ Only a few weeks left to enjoy the summer specials and support the parks you love!

So grab a bite, enjoy the view, and support your local state parks. 💚

08/06/2026

RIP to the Tomoka Peacocks. After a thorough investigation, it was determined the pair of non-native birds fell prey to bobcats. Their unexpected presence in the park for the last several months delighted visitors and staff alike. They will be missed.