New Enhancements to Eden State Gardens [updated, photos added]

[Kurt]

The new entrance to Eden is just before Gilmore Road and Bay Elementary. It is a beautiful drive through the woods to new parking behind the mansion on the west side. The road continues on to new picnic shelters and a canoe launch on Tucker Bayou. There is no longer vehicle entry or parking on the east side in front of the mansion.

These changes have been in the works for quite awhile ever since Albert and Van Ness Butler, after considering developing the land into a subdivision, donated about 100 acres adjacent Eden to the state. Camping may be added at some point in the future.

Eden State Gardens is doing a lot of wedding business to help offset the cost of improvements.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/EdenGardens/docs/EdenGardensStateParkWeddingGuide.pdf
http://www.friendsofedengardens.org/activities.html

Please consider joining or volunteering, or making a donation to the Friends Of Eden State Gardens who sweat and bleed to keep the place looking great!
http://www.friendsofedengardens.org/volunteers.html

The Historic Point Washington Association will be on view during its semi-annual walking tour. On Sunday afternoon, October 18, 2009, starting at 2:00 pm, the members of the Historic Association will lead small groups on a walk-about to historic sites, homes, and more. Meeting first at the Point Washington United Methodist Church on Highway 395, groups of ten people will form and be provided with a guide to visit locations of historical interest. Lasting for about two hours, docents and historical interpreters will share tales of the lumber mills, ferry boats, churches, schools, and Indian settlements. Parking will be available at the church site. Refreshments and limited handicapped assistance will be offered. Please join in this opportunity to visit one of Walton County's most picturesque settlements. You can telephone 231-4633 if you have special needs or questions.
http://www.southwaltoncc.org/mc/page.do?sitePageId=76368&orgId=swcc

A new brick walkway leads from the new parking on west side around to the front of the mansion and existing pond, picnic area, pavilion, and bayou dock.

There are a half dozen new shelters with picnic tables and grills on the new west side bayou front area.

 

[Allifunn]

I love the old brick look!

 

[ShallowsNole]

A lot of time and worry went into making the new entrance road a wonderful thing instead of a negative thing. Kudos to the state park system for allowing Friends of Eden and the surrounding community to have input as to the route and trees, etc that needed to be kept. Many may not realize that the reason the Butler family donated that land to Eden instead of developing it is that it is simply too gorgeous to mess up. Bravo to Eden for not messing it up!

 

[ChillPill]

Bravo indeed! Its lovely!

 

[Teresa]

the long entrance road winds through a beautiful stretch of forest.. makes for a nice walk too.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Now all I need is for someone to build a bridge across the branch and lay about a mile of asphalt under CHELCO's powerline, and I can be in PW in five minutes instead of 10 - don't want much, do I?

 

[Sandcastle]

I can't wait to check out the new entrance this weekend!

 

[graytonbeachguy]

I've seen the new entrance while taking my daughter to kindergarten at Bay Elementary. I need to check it out. I love Eden SP. My favorite tree in the whole world grows there: the huge oak with the great canopy between the mansion and the bayou.

I have a copy of "Frogs" that was filmed at the mansion. Anyone remember that B movie?

 

[ChillPill]

Hopefully you will love the new entrance, it is incredibly beautiful in my opinion!

As a fairly new resident of Point Washington, the locals have highly recommended that I watch FROGS and its on my short list. After a good rain, the frogs are insane out here! Enjoy your trip, I dont believe you'll be disappointed.

 

[Kurt]

Added photos and more info to original post.

Frogs is a fun movie. The Friends of Eden has copies for sale in the gift shop in the mansion. Any purchases of items and gifts help the friends of Eden maintain the house and grounds. You may also make a donation there in person and even take a tour of the mansion.