Florida attraction to get glass-bottom boat for wheelchairs
by Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 24, 2021 3:01 am EDT
Last Updated Jan 24, 2021 at 3:14 am EDT
OCALA, Fla. Florida’s 150 years of treating tourists to gushing springs, lolling manatees, curious fish and emerald grasses undulating in invisible currents is about to take a turn because of a chance remark.
In 2015, Paula Russo, a volunteer for the Florida State Parks Foundation, set up a table for a public event at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park near Gainesville. Russo, relying on a powered scooter because of childhood polio, was there to tout state park trails and paddling for people with disabilities.
Silver Springs attraction to get glass-bottom boat for wheelchair users tampabay.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tampabay.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Who needs to hop on a plane when you can enjoy beautiful spots in our own state? Author: Java Ingram Updated: 10:05 AM EST January 18, 2021
SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. Who needs to hop on a plane when you can enjoy beautiful spots in our own state? Outdoorsy Diva creator, Lauren Gay is an expert on finding off-the-beaten path spots in Florida. Some of her recommendations for winter getaways include: clear bottom kayaking at Boca Grande, swimming with manatees at Crystal River, kayaking in Apopka, visiting Silver Springs State Park and shark teeth hunting at Venice Beach. For more fun ideas from Lauren, visit outdoorsydiva.com/florida-in-the-winter-favorite-destinations-and-adventures
A shipyard in Palatka is putting the finishing touches on a new glass-bottom boat for Silver Springs tours. Springs tours in glass-bottom boats have thrilled tourists since the late 1800s. The new boat will be the first able to accommodate wheelchairs and other extra needs. Here is the story of how that boat was first conceived and the long path to finally launching the vessel sometime this spring.