More than 1,500 people spent the day at what was once considered to be northwest, Florida’s best kept secret.

Many residents from the wiregrass and surrounding areas spent the day at Blue Springs Recreation Park.

It's located on Blue Springs Highway, just outside of Marianna. The pond is fed by a natural underground aquifer.

Park officials are expecting record crowds this summer.

The high price of fuel is making many reconsider trips to the coast.

"Our admission is only two-dollars. it doesn't take complicated math to realize at gas three-dollars a gallon that you can save coming to blue springs than traveling 50 or 60 miles from your house," says Daryl Mathis.

Blue Springs Recreation Park is open Tuesday through Sundays. Children age four and under get in free.