Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks

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Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks

A Citizens Support Organization in the State of Florida for Tomoka Basin State Parks, Inc.

The Friends of Tomoka Basin State Parks is the designated Citizen's Support Organization (CSO) for the Tomoka Basin State Parks. We are a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization formed in 2013 with the vision of supporting Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park. By 2015, we extended our support to all five of the Tomoka Basin State Parks, including Tomoka State Park, Haw Creek Preserve State Park, Bulow Creek State Park and Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park. We were the 84th Citizen's Support Organization in the State of Florida. Our mission is to preserve, improve, protect and promote the natural and cultural resources of the Tomoka Basin State Parks. We support our mission through activities, projects, and programs that:
• Provide financial and volunteer support for park projects, events, and programs.
• Preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources of the parks.
• Enhance the educational and recreational opportunities of the parks.
• Encourage community engagement and active use of the parks.
• Encourage access and inclusion for all. For information on the parks that we support, visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

10/09/2026

Local history author Caleb Hathaway is on tap to present at the friends member meeting in November. Caleb is incredibly talented and has helped breath new life into local history. We are excited to have him! Stay tuned for more details.

10/03/2026

Meet our newest volunteer, Tomas Garcia! Tomas does a great reenactment of a Seminole War Militia Member. He is here at the ruins today, stop by and check him out!

10/03/2026

We had to change the date on our next night tour from 10/17 to 10/10 at 6:30.

get your tickets here:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bulowville-night-tour-jan3-mar72026

09/28/2026

I was talking to one of the rangers about America's 250th, and they brought this out of the office to show me. A special plaque to commerate Bulow Plantation Ruin's as a historic site on Florida's Bicentennial Trail, signed by the Governor and Lieutenant Governor in 1976.

Its wonderful to see our parks remembered, there is such deep and fascinating history here.

09/11/2026

A huge thank you to the RiverGrille on the Tomoka, for another great fundraising campaign to benefit the Friends of Tomoka Basin! The RiverGrille raised $2,943 over the summer which will go directly into supporting our parks. One of our greatest advocates and partners, I am truely grateful they have chosen to give back to their community in this way. Since the 1940's, Tomoka Basin State Parks have been incredbily relevent and valuable to our community. We applaude the River Grille for recognizing this importance and putting their support into action.

On another note, please help me to congratulate Assistant Park Manager Eno Slaughter (2nd from left). Eno has taken a new position as Park Manager of Ravine Gardens State Park. As a friends member, I have been deeply impacted by Eno's consistent support, leadership, and dedication to our parks. Thank you Eno, and best of luck in your new position!

09/03/2026

The still at Barberville Pioneer Settlement is perhaps the last standing turpentine still in the state of Florida. It was relocated from Tomoka to the Pioneer Settlement to preserve it among the other historic buildings there. Barberville is a nice 40 minute drive west of the park, highly recommended.

These stills processed raw pine resin into turpentine and rosin, used for a number of purposes but especially in the naval industry as waterproofing.

Cat-faced trees through Tomoka Basin tell the story of the Florida turpentine industry, which thrived from the late 1800's through the 1920's. Some turpentine industry remained in the state through the 1970's, when epoxies and other alternatives became more prevalent.

09/03/2026

The indigo demonstration area at Bulow Plantation Ruins is coming in nicely after a major overhall by volunteer Van. Thanks also to volunteer Jody for donating plants, and volunteer Steve for helping fix the demonstration vats.

Through a toxic, dangerous process, enslaved labour was used to turn the plant into the valuable blue dye. It has grown wild since introduction in the British Period (1763-1784), and was later cultivated at Bulow and Ormond's plantations. Several varieties of introduced plantation indigo can still be found growing throughout the state, a reminder of our past. For more information, check out the upcoming addition of the friends newsletter.

09/01/2026

Bald Eagle spotted in the park today!

08/21/2026

Working in the park this week, Ranger Bri came across this beautiful rare plant, Florida Coastal Bluecurls. The unique peninsula of Tomoka State Park allows for a variety of habitats for many rare and endangered species (like the gopher tortoise) to thrive.

Grateful for our parks, and the rangers, volunteers, and visitors who keep them going!

Address

Ormond Beach, FL

Website

http://www.fotbsp.com/

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