You've likely heard the name Rosa De Leon Park lately, but here is the thing: if you are looking for a place to have a picnic, you're actually looking for Ponce de Leon Park or perhaps the famous De Leon Springs State Park.
There is a bit of a mix-up happening in the search results. Honestly, it's easy to see why. The name "Rosa De León Park" has been all over the news in 2025 and 2026, but not because of a playground or a hiking trail. Rosa De León Park was actually the Executive Director of the Stanislaus Council of Governments (StanCOG) in California. She made headlines for a pretty messy legal and professional situation involving a civil grand jury report and allegations of financial mismanagement.
But if you are here because you want to touch 600-year-old trees or eat pancakes in a 19th-century sugar mill, you’re looking for the Florida landmarks that share that famous surname. Specifically, Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda or the legendary De Leon Springs.
Why Ponce de Leon Park is the Real Hidden Gem
Most tourists flock to the big theme parks, which is fine, I guess. But if you want to see what Florida actually looks like without the neon, Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda is where you go. It’s sixteen acres of pure coastal chill right on the edge of Charlotte Harbor.
It’s not just a patch of grass.
You've got a boardwalk that snakes through a mangrove forest. If you’ve never walked through mangroves, it’s kinda eerie and beautiful at the same time. The roots look like spider legs reaching into the salt water. It’s a prime spot for birding—you'll see ospreys, pelicans, and if you’re lucky, a frigatebird circling high up.
The park also houses the Peace River Wildlife Center. This is a non-profit sanctuary that takes in injured local critters. You can see owls, hawks, and even bald eagles that are being rehabilitated. It’s free, though they obviously appreciate a donation to keep the bird food flowing.
The "Fountain of Youth" and the Pancake House
Now, if your search for a "De Leon" park was actually about the famous swimming hole, you’re thinking of De Leon Springs State Park. This place is basically Florida history in a bottle. Or a spring.
The water is a constant 72°F year-round. Always.
It doesn't matter if it's a humid July morning or a "chilly" January afternoon; that water stays exactly the same. The Mayaca people lived here 6,000 years ago, and archaeologists actually found two of the oldest dugout canoes in the Western Hemisphere right in the spring bed. One of them is over 6,000 years old.
The Old Spanish Sugar Mill
The real star for most families isn't the water, though—it's the food. Inside the park sits the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. It’s a 100-year-old replica of the original 1832 mill that was destroyed during the Civil War.
Basically, every table has a built-in griddle.
They bring you pitchers of pancake batter—one is a five-grain mix, the other is unbleached white—and you cook your own breakfast right there. You can add blueberries, bananas, or chocolate chips. It's chaotic and fun and usually has a two-hour wait on weekends. Pro tip: put your name on the list, then go take the eco-boat tour. By the time you get back from the 50-minute trip through the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, your table might actually be ready.
Addressing the Rosa De León Park Confusion
Let’s be real about the name. If you are searching for Rosa De León Park and finding news articles about "misuse of public funds" or "administrative leave," you are looking at a person, not a park.
In August 2025, the StanCOG Policy Board voted 9-0 to terminate her employment. This followed a grand jury report titled "Transparency and Accountability Needed." It was a whole thing involving $100,000 in questionable expenses and weirdly conflicting versions of employee handbooks.
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It’s a classic case of a name becoming a "place" in the mind of the internet.
If you are looking for the legacy of the civil rights icon, you are looking for Rosa Parks. There are dozens of parks named after her across the United States—from Detroit to Montgomery—but they are almost always "Rosa Parks Memorial Park" or something similar.
Planning Your Visit (The Practical Stuff)
If you’re heading to the Florida parks, here is what you actually need to know so you don't look like a total amateur.
- Ponce de Leon Park (Punta Gorda): It’s at the end of West Marion Avenue. There is a small beach, but it's more for looking than swimming. Use the boat ramp if you have a skiff; it’s one of the best entries into Charlotte Harbor.
- De Leon Springs (Volusia County): Get there early. I mean really early. The park often hits capacity by 10:00 AM on weekends and they will turn you away at the gate.
- Gear: Bring a snorkel mask. The spring boil is 30 feet deep and crystal clear. You can see the water pulsing out of the ground at the bottom.
- Wildlife: Yes, there are alligators in the Spring Run. No, they aren't usually in the roped-off swimming area, but keep your eyes open. This is Florida.
Actionable Next Steps
Before you head out, check the current capacity status on the Florida State Parks website if you’re heading to the springs. If you’re visiting the Punta Gorda park, bring some cash for the Wildlife Center donation box—it helps keep the owls fed. If you were actually looking for the California government official, the final audit reports are usually available through the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury public archives.