Friends of Washington Oaks

Gardens State Park, Inc.

6400 N. Ocean Shore Blvd.

Palm Coast, FL 32137

Established in 1998 as a non-profit corporation to function as a Citizens Support Organization (CSO), to work for the preservation, protection, interpretation and promotion of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. This is accomplished through special work projects, programs, and events. There are also outreach programs, exhibits, interpretive programs, fund raising activities, guided tours and additional activities which are designed to meet the needs of Washington Oaks State Gardens.

As a Florida State Park, Washington Oaks Gardens receives funding for the basic maintenance of the park. However, funds for enhancements, certain repairs and special projects are left to the efforts of citizen support organizations (The Friends).

Park Ranger Joe Woodbury recently promoted to Park Services Specialist at Washington Oaks. Joe's new role at the park will include overseeing the upkeep and maintenance of the gardens. Joe will work closely with the garden staff on fertilizing schedules, plant selection and garden work projects. As most of you already know PSS Joe has already mastered the art of Interpretation at the park, with his recent Statewide Interpreter of the Year Award, so now his new position will only further his career at the park.

Congratulations Joe!!!

We welcome our new Park Service Specialist, Mark Giblin.

Hello, I’m Mark Giblin, the new Park Services Specialist at Washington Oaks Garden and Faver Dykes State Park.  I was born in Concord New Hampshire but moved to the beautiful Sunshine State when I was only 7 years old.

I have a degree in Business Administration and Management and I am currently working towards another degree in Applied Science in Supervision and Management. 

For 9 years I had an exciting career in the media business, I started as a reporter and Anchor for a local television news station before being promoted to assistant news director.  I thought the T.V. news business was exciting, but I had no idea what I was missing until I became employed by the Florida Park Service.  

I started my adventure in the Florida Park Service in 2006 at Gamble Rogers State Recreation area, then I was hired as a full time Park Ranger at Tomoka State Park and I am very excited to now be a Park Services Specialist at Washington Oaks Garden State Park and Faver Dykes State park.  Here, I am Responsible for volunteer coordination and special events.  If you are interested in volunteering, or need any assistance I can be reached at 386-446-6783.