Washington Oaks State Gardens

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Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Matanzas River on the western side of the park
Location	Flagler County, Florida, USA
Nearest city	Palm Coast, Florida
Coordinates	29°38′06″N 81°12′14″W / 29.635, -81.20389
Governing body	Florida Department 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 northeast Florida barrier island.

Contents 1 Ecology 2 Flora 3 Fauna 4 History 5 Recreational Activities 6 Hours and admission 7 References and external links

[edit] Ecology

Habitats preserved by the park include beach, coastal scrub, coastal hammock, and tidal marshes.

[edit] Flora

Vegetation includes live oaks, magnolias, hickories, sabal palms, and saw palmettos. Plants that can be found in the gardens are roses, camellias, and azaleas, among others.

[edit] Fauna

Wildlife include sea turtles, gopher tortoises, manatees, deer, raccoons, bobcats, foxes, opossums, gray squirrels, Pileated Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and the Florida Scrub-Jay.

[edit] 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 in 1962 and Mrs. Young donated the property to the State of Florida in 1964. Her donation specified that the "gardens be maintained in their present form".

[edit] Recreational Activities

The park has such amenities as beaches (on both the Matanzas River and Atlantic Ocean), bicycling, fishing, hiking, picnicking areas and wildlife viewing. The original residence has been converted into a visitor center with interpretive exhibits.

[edit] Hours and admission

Florida state parks are open between 8 A.M. and sundown every day of the year (including holidays). An admission fee is required.

[edit] References and external links

• Washington Oaks State Gardens at Florida State Parks
• Washington Oaks State Gardens at State Parks
• Washington Oaks State Gardens at Tour Crane's Roost
• Washington Oaks State Gardens at Absolutely Florida

• Washington Oaks State Gardens is at coordinates 29°38′06″N 81°12′14″W / 29.635, -81.204 (Washington Oaks State Gardens)Coordinates: 29°38′06″N 81°12′14″W / 29.635, -81.204 (Washington Oaks State Gardens)

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