Friends of Koreshan State Park

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Friends of Koreshan State Park

The official page of Friends of Koreshan State Park: FriendsofKoreshan.org The official page of Koreshan State Park. Teed in 1908.
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The 200 members of Chicago based Koreshan Unity acquired 320 acres of land in 1894 and created their own community over the next few years. They eventually acquired nearly 7,500 acres of land, had the only store in Estero Florida and brought education, culture, music and drama to the Southwest Florida frontier. The settlement flourished until the death of their leader, Cyrus R. In 1961 the remaini

ng few members donated 305 acres of land to the State of Florida for historic preservation. Eleven buildings remain in the historic settlement and give a glimpse of what life was like here in the early 1900's.

06/23/2026

Koreshan State Park is excited to announce we’re looking for two AmeriCorps members to join our team: a ROAR Volunteer and an ANT Volunteer! 🌿

AmeriCorps is a national service program where people of all ages commit to serving their communities in exchange for professional experience, skills development, and an education award they can use for college costs or student loans. It’s like a “domestic Peace Corps” — you serve, learn, and make a real impact right here at home.

At Koreshan State Park, our AmeriCorps members help protect natural and cultural resources, support educational programs, and connect visitors with the unique history and environment of this special place. Our ROAR and ANT positions are hands-on roles perfect for someone who loves nature, public lands, and community service.

Interested or know someone who might be? Learn more and apply through the link provided.💚

https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=70005

06/20/2026

This week some of our Koreshan State park staff and volunteers hit the road to Dade Battlefield State Park for a hands-on day of learning! We dove into pine needle basket making, created scrub brushes for cleaning cast iron from circular “cookies” of saw palmetto, and even tried our hand at mandala rock painting.

Huge thanks to the Dade Battlefield Society and the amazing park staff for sharing your time, skills, and creativity with us. We’re excited to bring these new ideas and programs back to Koreshan for an amazing winter season! 🌿🧺🪨

06/17/2026

✨✨An Exciting Opportunity✨✨

🌴 Immediate Resident Volunteer Needed – Koreshan State Park (Southwest Florida) 🌴

Koreshan State Park in beautiful Southwest Florida is seeking an immediate Resident Volunteer Field & Maintenance Steward.

This position includes an RV campsite. Volunteers must provide their own self-contained RV, travel trailer, fifth wheel, or motorhome.

What you’ll do:

Work 24 hours each week

Help maintain historic buildings

Care for beautiful gardens

Support upkeep of park grounds

Open gates at 8am

Go home to a beautiful campsite in paradise.

It’s hot, it’s humid, and it isn’t for everyone — but for the right person, it’s one of the most rewarding volunteer experiences you’ll find.

How to apply:
View the full posting and apply directly here:
https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/pages/oneclick/XhcCL5eMW6zkB182IdLvz1mtTZkMyInO

06/16/2026

Calling all thrift hunters, history lovers, and creative souls! 🕰️✨

Friends of Koreshan is gearing up for our big winter living history celebration, and we’re building our wardrobe to bring the past to life.

We’re looking for:

Vintage/period-style clothing and accessories

Thrifted pieces that can be transformed into historical costumes

Volunteers who want to help plan, sew, style, and have some fun along the way

Want to donate items, help us hunt for treasures, or join the planning crew?

Reach out to: [email protected]

Let’s make history unforgettable at the park this winter. 💫

06/15/2026

🌱 Interested in joining a Garden Club at Koreshan State Park? 🌿

We are looking to gather a group of volunteers interested in helping care for the gardens and historic landscape around our Historic Settlement. Activities may include planting, dividing, pruning, seed starting, light garden maintenance, and learning more about the history behind the gardens and plants found throughout the park.

Eventually, we hope members might want to lead garden tours, hold plant sales, speak about specific plants or techniques, and other things that would act as a fundraiser for our gardening efforts.

Participants may work with a mix of Florida native plants and exotic species that reflect the history and gardening traditions that the Koreshans continued for over 70 years here in Estero. Along the way, we hope to share stories about the people who once lived here, the plants they grew, and how the historic landscape has evolved over time. The goal is to combine gardening, history, learning, and social time in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

Join us July 8th at the Art Hall 9:30am-11am to play some plant bingo, learn about our plans for this club and socialize. Our new members will be the ones to shape the club! We hope you will consider joining. There is no minimum hour commitment, and we can share how volunteering works at the first meeting.
Can't make the meeting but want to join us?
Email [email protected]

You must sign up to gain free park admission to attend: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48A5AB2DA7FDC34-64517160-koreshan

06/11/2026

Huge thanks to Affordable Carts in Ft. Myers (the beach team) for their generous donation of four brand-new golf cart tires to Koreshan State Park ! 🌿🚐

Your support helps keep our team moving safely and reliably throughout the park, and we truly appreciate it. Thanks to you, we can now feel confident that this golf cart will be dependable wherever we need to go — from daily maintenance to special projects that keep the park beautiful and accessible for everyone.

We’re grateful for community partners like you who help us care for this special place. 💚

Affordable Carts affordablecarts

06/10/2026

🎶 Calling All Musicians! 🎶

Do you have a passion for music and a desire to connect with the community? 🌳✨ Koreshan State Park is looking for volunteer musicians to help us create a vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere for our visitors!

Whether you love playing solo, you're a student eager to gain experience, or you're part of a small ensemble, your talent can make a difference!

Join us in:

Providing delightful musical ambiance in the park

Performing at special events and programs

Participating in our community concert series

Sharing your love for music in a stunning natural setting

If you're interested in making beautiful memories and bringing joy to our park's visitors, don’t hesitate to reach out for more information! 🎤🎸🌲

Let’s make music together! 💚

06/07/2026

🌸 IFAS Butterfly Orchids (Encyclia tampensis) are in Bloom 🌸

Bloom Season: May to August.
Peak Bloom: June.
Appearance : Small, fragrant yellow or bronze flowers with a white and purple lip.
Growth habit: Native to Florida, they grow on tree bark (like live oaks) rather than in the soil.

🌸 Exciting news from our Resource Management team!
Due to native orchid habitat being scarce, we were recently able to save these beautiful IFAS butterfly orchids from trees that needed to be cut down. Our dedicated team transplanted them last fall, ensuring these stunning orchids continued to thrive. It is so exciting to see them blooming this season.🌿💚

Remember, these orchids are protected species, and it's illegal to harvest them in the wild in Florida, especially from state parks. Let's cherish and respect our natural treasures! 🌼✨

06/06/2026

🌿🐍 Do you ever wonder what you may see while visiting our park?
Discover the Snakes of Southwest Florida! 🐍🌿

Southwest Florida is home to a diverse range of snakes, each playing a vital role in our ecosystem. Here are a few notable natives:

1. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake : The largest venomous snake in North America, it helps control small mammal populations, keeping the ecosystem balanced.
2. Indigo Snake : A large, non-venomous snake that preys on rodents and even venomous snakes, helping to regulate their populations.
3. Corn Snake : Known for its vibrant colors, this gentle snake is a natural rodent controller, protecting crops and gardens.
4. Southern Black Racer : Fast and agile, it feeds primarily on small mammals and is essential for maintaining the food web.

🌍 Why Are Snakes Important?

Pest Control : Snakes regulate populations of rodents and insects, which can otherwise become overpopulated.

Biodiversity : They contribute to the richness of our parks, making them essential for a healthy ecosystem.

Indicator Species : Snakes can signal the health of their environment, alerting us to ecological changes.

🚶‍♂️ Explore Our State Parks :
When visiting state parks in SWFL, keep an eye out for these fascinating creatures. Remember, they're more scared of you than you are of them! Let's protect our snakes and appreciate their role in Florida's unique wildlife. 🐢💚

06/02/2026

🌟 Thank you to everyone who joined us for our last Koreshan Summer Night Concert Series of the season featuring the incredible Sarah Hadeka! 🎶
We had a wonderful night filled with great music and fantastic company. Your attendance made it unforgettable!
Looking forward to more nights like this next season! 🎉

Address

3800 Corkscrew Road
Estero, FL
33928

Telephone

+12399920311

Website

https://FriendsofKoreshan.org/

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