The Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (“Friends”) was organized in 2009 by a group of passionate volunteers. It is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 citizen support organization, overseen by the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection, ("DEP"), Division of Recreation and Parks. Soon after the first board meeting of The Friends, these avid volunteers began building relationships with: local government agencies, businesses, and many non-profit organizations all in the name of promoting their mission and vision in support of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Hernando County. The list of “corporate partners” is growing every day and The Friends enjoys the support of more than 300 members. The Friends funded the park's stage for concerts, the children's playground, LED Christmas lights and syncronizers, new speakers for Buc Bay and the Animal Show, installation of satellite radio at Buc Bay, a Mac computer to enhance presentations in the underwater theater, renovations to the Guest Services building, refrigerators and microwaves for park staff, a beautiful conference room table, sign kiosks, select landscaping around the park, including all landscaping at the entrance and around the iconic fountain and its handicap-accessible walkway around it. There is a 50-year Master Plan map adopted for the park in November 2014. This plan calls for an estimated $14,000,000 in improvements at today's cost. Approximately $4,000,000 is anticipated by the park service to come from The Friends to cover the cost of an expanded splash park, an interpretive center, and landscaping. Fund raising efforts are dedicated to making the Park the thriving, national family attraction it has been since 1947. The Friends work tirelessly to make this iconic natural spring’s phenomenon a place where diversity unites, families create special memories, and the beauty of nature is experienced. The Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park/Citizens Support Organization’s governing board meets on the third Tuesday evening each month. Meetings begin at 5:00 pm and held in the Conference Room at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Members and the public are invited to these meetings.