Silver Springs State Park — the Marion County gem that has been hosting glass-bottom boat tours for nearly 150 years — is set to receive a $436,000 estate gift from one of its own former volunteers. Monica McNamara, 80, of Ocala passed away on May 30, 2025, and had included the Florida State Parks Foundation in her will, designating the funds exclusively for Silver Springs State Park.
The gift makes McNamara the newest member of the Great Blue Heron Legacy Society, the Florida State Parks Foundation's program recognizing supporters who choose to include Florida state parks in their estate planning. The society has grown to 14 members since launching in 2024, with other donors including John Kerschner and Bonnie Lizer among those who have joined.
Florida State Parks Foundation CEO Julia Gill Woodward called McNamara's contribution a reflection of a life genuinely devoted to the park. "Silver Springs State Park held a special place in Ms. McNamara's heart," Woodward said, "and her generosity will now help ensure a strong, healthy future for this special place for decades to come."
The announcement coincides with National Make-A-Will Month in August, and the Foundation is encouraging anyone who cares about Florida's state parks to explore legacy giving as a way to protect these natural treasures long-term. Great Blue Heron Legacy Society members can receive recognition on the Foundation's website along with other membership benefits.
The Florida State Parks Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1993, supports more than 20,000 park volunteers and works to preserve, protect, and promote Florida's award-winning state park system. This story was originally reported by the Florida State Parks Foundation.
