page_title: Glen Springs
section_title: Elks
hierarchical_section_title: Glen Springs / History / Elks
caption_attribution_description: English: Glen Spring in Gainesville, Florida, taken in 1977 for the Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 31
context_page_description: Glen Springs is a 5th magnitude hydrological spring in Gainesville, Florida, United States, located at 2424 NW 23rd Boulevard. Formerly a popular swimming and recreation area, the property closed to the public in 1970 and is no longer maintained for swimming.
context_section_description: In 1970, the city prohibited chlorinated water from being discharged into the creek system, and there were other pools available in Gainesville, so the pool closed. The Elks Lodge #990 purchased the property and swimming was not permitted.  
  The Elks constructed a deck attached to the upper floor of the springhouse, but no maintenance was performed on the pool's physical structure, which has deteriorated over forty plus years. The Elks Club stocked the pools with bluegills and catfish, and hold an annual fishing derby there.
  UF professor A.O. White led an effort in 1984 for the city to acquire the spring and restore it to a natural state. In April, 1986, negotiations between the Elks and the city were terminated when the Elks insisted on more money than the city would spend. One year later, the city upped their offer to $451,000, which was 10% more than assessed value, but in 1988, the Elks again declined to sell.
  Around 1995, the city purchased 21 acres that became the Alfred A. Ring Park, abutting Glen Springs to the south. It was necessary to construct a bridge across the Glen Springs Run (outflow), and the slopes of the run were restored to a natural state. The Elks Club parking lot is used by those utilizing the Alfred A. Ring Park.
caption: Spring & pool in 1977
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