Everglades City
by Denise Wauters
Everglades National Park has reopened its Gulf Coast Visitor Center following the completion of a major redevelopment project at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City.
A ribbon-cutting was held with representatives from the National Park Service, partner organizations, and local officials in attendance. Following brief remarks, National Park Service staff led tours of the newly rebuilt facility and surrounding grounds. Park concessioner Everglades National Park Adventures also offered complimentary boat tours with park rangers, allowing guests to view the site from Chokoloskee Bay.
The rebuilt visitor center has been elevated to meet modern coastal resiliency standards. The site was designed to better withstand storms and flooding common to the area, with materials and systems selected for use in a high-hazard coastal zone.
The facility includes energy-efficient systems and is fully accessible, with an elevator and paved pathways throughout the grounds.
Access to the Gulf Coast District
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center serves as the primary access point for visitors entering Everglades National Park’s Gulf Coast district. From this location, visitors can connect with ranger programs and access recreational opportunities within the park, including boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing, and guided tours of the surrounding waters.
The site also provides public access to Chokoloskee Bay and views across the Ten Thousand Islands.
A Site with Deep Roots in Park History
Everglades City has been connected to Everglades National Park since its earliest days. When President Harry S. Truman dedicated the park in 1947, he flew into the town and delivered his remarks at the local airfield — the site known today as Everglades Airpark.
The reopening of the Gulf Coast Visitor Center continues that long-standing connection between Everglades City and the national park system.
Additional information about the facility and the Gulf Coast district of Everglades National Park is available through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center. (visit)
