High Springs to turn canoe outpost into park 

Santa Fe Canoe Outpost building
Santa Fe Canoe Outpost building.
Suzette Cook

The city of High Springs will stop renting canoes and kayaks from the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost on May 30 and plans to turn the location into a city park.  

City Manager Ashley Stathatos said city staff will return at a workshop with detailed options for the canoe launch site. The Outpost’s building and boardwalk need capital improvements that will factor into future options.  

Private individuals can still use the launch along with other canoe outfitters like Rum 138 and Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures. Stathatos said the park will be free and close at dusk. 

Become A Member

Mainstreet does not have a paywall, but pavement-pounding journalism is not free. Join your neighbors who make this vital work possible.

The city purchased the business in December 2021 after more than 30 years of success under the ownership of Jim and Sally Wood and entered into a contract with Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures to serve as the outfitter for the Outpost.  

At a May 11 meeting, Stathatos said Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures has altered its business model and begun to focus on other launch locations. She said the city entered into talks with the business who requested an end to the contract.  

Stathatos said the city can consider the possibility of contracting another outfitter in the future to provide walk-up rentals at the Outpost location.  

Anderson’s will continue to offer on-site rental services until May 30 and said on its website that the two parties agreed it’s best not to have an outfitter on site as the much-needed capital improvements get underway.  

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments