Special Events for Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

• KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOPS
  Date: August 1, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Kid’s Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward young adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open for ages 8-15 years old. Advance registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00, which includes you entrance into the park.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6783.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  
• KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOPS
  Date: August 7, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Kid’s Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward young adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open for ages 8-15 years old. Advance registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00, which includes you entrance into the park.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6783.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  
• KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOPS
  Date: August 8, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Kid’s Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward young adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open for ages 8-15 years old. Advance registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00, which includes you entrance into the park.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6783.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  
• KID’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOPS
  Date: August 14th or 15th, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Kid’s Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward young adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open for ages 8-15 years old. Advance registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00, which includes you entrance into the park.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6783.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  
• ADULT BEGINNER’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOP
  Date: August 22, 2008, 9:00-12:00
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open to adults, ages 18 & above and the fee is $20.00. This is a three hour workshop and spaces are limited. Advance Registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00 per workshop, per participant, which includes park entrance fees.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6763.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  
• ADULT BEGINNER’S SALTWATER FISHING WORKSHOP
  Date: August 29, 2008, 9:00-12:00
  Description: The Friends of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park will be offering Saltwater Fishing workshops at the park. A Florida Park Ranger will illustrate some of the techniques anglers use to catch fish and the importance of conservation and safety. Participants will learn to identify saltwater fish species commonly caught in this area, and will learn how to use a fishing rod & reel. Each workshop will be hands-on with participants fishing along the bank of the Intracoastal Waterway while applying their newly learned skills. All fishing gear will be furnished for each participant to use during the workshop, including complete rod & reel, fishing tackle and bait. Upon completion of the workshop each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion and a souvenir fishing packet to take home. Also, participants will be furnished with snacks and beverages. If desired, you may bring a bag lunch. These Saltwater Fishing Workshops are geared toward adults to teach the basics of beginning fishing skills. This workshop is open to adults, ages 18 & above and the fee is $20.00. This is a three hour workshop and spaces are limited. Advance Registration is required.
  Fees: $20.00 per workshop, per participant, which includes park entrance fees.
  Contact: Contact the park at (386) 446-6763.
  A "Get REAL in Florida State Parks!" Event
  

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Ranger Programs

• KAYAK TOURS
  Ongoing Event - Want to learn more about the world of birding and kayaking? Join us for a two-hour program and enjoy a leisurely paddle through one of Northeast Florida’s most beautiful landscapes. While observing the area’s migratory and resident birds, fish populations, and common aquatic plants, you will discover how they interact with the environment and maintain a vital balance. Our stable, double kayaks make great vehicles for studying nature; they allow you to become immersed in your surroundings without being intrusive. Small group sizes also ensure a memorable experience. Basic kayak instruction is provided therefore no previous experience is necessary. The tour will launch from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, last two hours, and be led by a professional kayak guide/naturalist. The tour fee is $40 per person, which includes all needed kayaking equipment, kayaking instruction, park entrance fees and bottled water. Some suggested items to bring are a spare change of clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, camera and binoculars. After the kayak tour, feel free to explore the park which include ornamental gardens, nature trails, picnic area, coquina rock beach and newly renovated Visitor Center. Spaces are limited and deadline for registration is 24 hours prior to date. Payment is due upon registration by contacting Ripple Effect Ecotours @ 904-347-1565.
  Call 904-347-1565 for more details.
• 2ND SATURDAY PLANT SALES AT THE PARK
  2nd Saturday each month The Friends of Washington Oaks will be holding a plant sale on the second Saturday each month. The plant sale hours are from 10am-2pm. You will find a selection of perennials, succulents, and orchids. Most of our plants for sale were propagated and grown right here in the park by our wonderful volunteers. All proceeds benefit the park for enhancement of current and new facilities. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is made up of a diverse landscape with a hardwood forest bordering the tidal marshes along the intra-coastal waterway. Within the Park are ornamental gardens, hammocks, coastal scrub, beaches and marshes. This variety of plant communities accounts for the abundant wildlife here. The peaceful and tranquil setting of this biologically rich area offers the unhurried visitor an opportunity to relax, reflect, explore, discover, and wonder.
  Call 386-446-6780 for more details.
• INDIANS OF THE ESTUARY KAYAK TOUR
  On-going The tour begins with a visit to a Timucuan Shell Midden, where you'll have the opportunity to view and learn about authentic timucuan tools and artifacts from the state parks collection. Next, we’ll paddle the Matanzas Estuary in search of the flora and fauna important to the Native American way of life. Along the way, we'll stop at an island refuge for a catered lunch and you'll be able to try out your Native American skills by weaving a natural-fiber bracelet or starting a fire with just a bow and drill! Small group sizes ensure a memorable experience.
  Call (904) 347-1565 for more details.