We're continuing to follow the latest developments with the silver springs attraction. 

      Florida state park officials held a meeting last night at vanguard high school to present a transition plan that will be put in place if the attraction becomes a state park. 

 

      From the beginning of the meeting residents like Dan Isbell said they were excited and that "we are making progress if they are actually talking to the local people."

 

      Citizens like Isbell are excited about the pace of the possible future of silver springs.

       Last month florida state park officials heard comments from citizens....

       About the state park service taking over the silver springs attraction. 

       Dan Isbell, Marion county resident; "I believe the resource has to be better managed than it has been recently and if we can just have the state run that it just make sort of sense because they have done such a good job with the silver river state park."

    Palace entertainment currently operates Silver Springs park under a lease agreement with the state. 

    The department of environmental protection is still negotiating with palace entertainment.... but theres no timeframe on when a decision will be finalized. 

 

     So state park officials want to get feedback from citizens about a transition plan. 

      Jennifer Diaz is the external communication manager for the florida park service.

      She says "we are going to do some facility improvements, some build repairs, some septic tank repairs, some storm water treatment repairs and things of that nature to bring the attraction to more of a park like status."

      The state and palace entertainment will determine who will pay for the repairs and improvements.

      Diaz says some activities that will continue if there is a transition period are the glass bottom boat tours, concerts and special events.

      Other recreational activities that people can enjoy will be swimming, hiking and kayaking.

 

        One Resident said, "i'm in favor of everything your doing and i thank you for giving the public the opportunity to say what they feel."

 

        One idea many people who showed up tonight didn't favor.... is keeping the wild waters park. 
       Someone even said in the meeting, "i disagree with one aspect of the plan and that is the wild waters attraction."

      Unfortunately wild waters sort of represents what's the problem."

 

        But the one goal the majority of the people here have in mind... is saving the 242 acres of treasure.

     Diaz says officials will take all feedback and consider it as they develop their final plan