The Marion County Parks and Recreation Department’s kayaking program, Kayak & Koffee, will take paddlers to the clear waters of Silver River on Friday, May 12.
On the day of the event, participants will meet at Brick City Adventure Park (1211 SE 22nd Road in Ocala) at 8 a.m. for coffee and a breakfast snack before shuttling to Silver Springs State Park.
Silver Spring is the largest natural artesian spring in the world, and it is capable of producing 550 million gallons of water each day. These waters form the Silver River, which flows for six miles from Silver Spring to Ray Wayside Park.
Paddlers can expect to catch glimpses of wildlife in the area, such as alligators, otters, birds, fish, manatees, and even monkeys. According to the parks and recreation department, the upcoming trip will take three to four hours, so participants are encouraged to bring a reusable water container and sunscreen.
The event is open to adults (ages 18 and up). There is a $50 fee per participant, and the kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. This fee will be lowered to $25 for any participants who bring their own equipment.
This will be the final Kayak & Koffee excursion until the program returns later this fall.
For more information, or to sign up, visit the Marion County Parks and Recreation Department’s Kayak & Koffee event webpage or call 352-671-8560.