Paradise Park, Florida

Paradise Park was a tourist attraction and the only local recreational facility "for colored people", as its sign said,[1] about 1 mile (1.6 km) from Silver Springs, near Ocala, Florida.

It offered similar features, such as glass-bottom boats, "jungle cruises," a petting zoo,[2] a dance pavilion with jukebox, performers,[3]: 164  a softball field, a horseshoe toss,[3]: 159  and a sandy beach with lifeguards.

[4] It served African American patrons prohibited from Silver Springs' boat rides that were limited to whites only.

[3]: 5–7  As was the rule during the allegedly separate but equal period, "Paradise Park was alright, but it wasn't up on a par with the white parts of Silver Springs.

[3]: 187  “Easter egg hunts, baptisms, and picnics were common and at Christmas, Santa Claus would cruise down the river on a glass-bottom boat to pass out candy, nuts, and fruit for young visitors.

Herpetologist Ross Allen even set up a reptile exhibit at the park, similar to the one located upriver at Silver Springs.”[5] According to a sign in the promotional movie cited below, "Ross Allen's Wild Animal Exhibit" included "dozens of alligators, hundreds of snakes, monkeys, deer, birds, turtles, lizards, exotic animals" and "Ole Coochie", a "giant alligator".

King once visited,[3]: 51  as did Mary McLeod Bethune, who "didn't care too much" for Paradise Park "because it was segregated".