Celebrate the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center Ribbon Cutting

Come celebrate on Friday, December 12, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., as Everglades National Park opens the new Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center in Everglades City.

After Hurricane Irma destroyed the Gulf Coast Visitor Center back in 2017, the park needed something stronger and smarter. Now, this two-story building stands in its place—built to last, built for the future, and built to honor Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the woman whose passion turned the Everglades from overlooked swampland into a protected national treasure.

They’re throwing open the doors for a free, public celebration. Wander the new visitor center, stroll the marina, and take in everything the grounds have to offer. There’ll be live music, a reception, and speeches from park leaders and community voices. Want to see more? Join a boat or walking tour and get a fresh look at what’s possible when resilience meets determination.

At 10:30 a.m., the ribbon will be officially cut and they'll officially dedicate the center. Superintendent Pedro Ramos of Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks put it best: Restoring this facility gives the Gulf Coast back its premier visitor center and renews vital services that Irma took away. But this isn’t just about a building—it’s a promise to stay resilient, keep sustainability at the heart of everything we do, and stay connected to Everglades City.

Throughout the event, you’ll hear from National Park Service officials and local leaders. Guided tours will show off the building’s sustainable design and how the site’s been redeveloped for the challenges ahead. Take a short boat ride from the marina for a different view of the center—there’s nothing like seeing it from the water.

The new center meets LEED Silver standards and shrugs off hurricane-force winds and surges. It sits higher to avoid flooding from storms and king tides, and native plants line the shoreline to protect the ecosystem. The marina’s grown, with floating docks and a better kayak launch, and new walkways make visitor access easy.

This project finally fulfills Congress’s 1989 promise—to name a visitor center for Marjory Stoneman Douglas at the Gulf Coast gateway. Douglas (1890–1998) wrote “The Everglades: River of Grass” in 1947 and changed how Americans saw this place. Her persistence helped establish Everglades National Park itself, dedicated 78 years ago, right here in Everglades City. Naming the center after her isn’t just a tribute—it’s a reminder of her lifelong fight for South Florida’s landscapes and wildlife.

Event details:

Date: Friday, December 12, 2025

Location: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Visitor Center, 815 Oyster Bar Ln., Everglades City, FL 34139

Admission: Free and open to everyone

Check out the event page for more details or call Everglades National Park at 305‑242‑7700. You can always visit www.nps.gov/ever for updates.