past , with increased pollution and nearby modern development harming the river habitat , decreasing the fish population , and dramatically decreasing the waterflow from the aquifer as the demand from surrounding populations has increased . As of recent though , these problems have been subsiding . In 2013 the location became known as Silver Springs State Park when the State of Florida took over operations .
This brings us full circle , and once again finds Casey and me , in the thick of Florida ’ s heat and humidity , waiting on a park ranger to meet us and unlock a gate that will lead us into the now abandoned Wild Waters water park . About 100 yards from the entrance to Silver Springs State Park , the once popular summertime attraction now sits overgrown and neglected , just the way I like it !
Wild Waters was built in 1978 , and it was one of the very first water parks in the south . Wild Waters helped boost the popularity of Ocala ’ s Silver Springs during a time when Orlando ’ s Disney was quickly becoming the state ’ s main tourist attraction .
Wild Waters was a one-stop-shop for family fun in the summer . With a wave pool , water slides a-plenty , wading pool for the kiddies , the “ Cool Kid Zone ” for grade schoolers , and concession stands keeping the fries and burgers coming all day long . Sprinkled throughout the park were plenty of trees for shade , picnic areas , snack bars , a sand volleyball court , and the obligatory gift shop .
Once the park ranger arrived , we entered the grounds and took in our surroundings , our feet crunching on a carpet of dried leaves . It had only been a few years since the park closed , but in Florida nature doesn ’ t waste time taking over an untended property . We entered the central part of the park and took in the 360-degree view of the water slides , the wave pool , and boarded up concession buildings . I set up a couple cameras to take time lapses , then grabbed my Nikon D800 and got to work .
PORTFOLIO MAGAZINE 17