If you’re looking to connect with nature while learning more about Florida’s unique ecosystems, the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center is the perfect place to start.
Located on the shores of Lake Beresford, this 10-acre space blends hands-on educational experiences with outdoor fun. From walking trails and native gardens to a public kayak launch, there’s something for everyone to enjoy while discovering how our local ecosystems work together.
Keep reading to see what makes this spot a must-visit for nature lovers and families alike!
Table of Contents
- Where is the Stetson Aquatic Center?
- What is the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center?
- Why Visit the Stetson Aquatic Center?
- Programs Offered at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center
- Stormwater Pond and Rain Garden Tour – Cooler than it sounds
- Bartram Pollinator Garden
- The Lab
- Drone Demonstration
- Lake Beresford Mural
- Public Canoe, Kayak, and Paddleboard Launch
- Walking Trail
- Tips for a Visit to the Stetson Aquatic Center
- Ready to Explore?
Where is the Stetson Aquatic Center?
The Stetson Aquatic Center is on the west side of DeLand, about 50 minutes north of Orlando and 45 minutes west of Daytona Beach.
It sits on 10 acres on Lake Beresford in a residential area 6 minutes from Hontoon Island. The address is 2636 Alhambra Ave, DeLand, FL 32720.
What is the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center?
The Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center is home to the Institute for Water and Environmental Resilience (IWER) Field Station and Stetson University’s rowing program.
Funding for the facility is a combination of a gift from Sandra Stetson, great-granddaughter of John B. Stetson (donor and namesake of Stetson University), and a grant from the Volusia County ECHO Program. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on February 14, 2019.
The property is divided into three separate areas:
- Stetson Rowing
- Docks
- Ground floor of the aquatic center
- IWER
- Second-floor laboratory
- Stormwater pond
- Rainwater garden
- Field Station
- Bartram Gardens & Trail – Open to the Public
- Public restrooms
- Pavilion
- Fishing Pier
- Canoe, kayak, paddleboard launch
- Gardens
- Trails
Why Visit the Stetson Aquatic Center?
First and foremost, it’s free to the public. Visitors can explore the outdoor areas at their leisure including:
- a walking trail
- gardens
- public restrooms
- the pavilion
- public kayak/canoe/paddleboard launch
- a fishing pier
The 10 beautiful waterfront acres are dotted with interpretive displays that help visitors learn about the area’s history and native species of animals and plants. The area also has a rain garden and stormwater pond that demonstrate how the ecosystem works together to clean, filter, and maintain our environment.
Programs Offered at the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center
The Stetson Aquatic Center is just the name of the building. The IWER is the Stetson University group that studies the environment and offers public educational programs.
The programs offered vary based on the individuals visiting, but all of them are led by knowledgeable staff who are enthusiastic about their work and willing to answer any and all questions.
I visited with my homeschool group, which consisted of adults and children ages 3 to 15. The IWER team was great at explaining and teaching our group in a way that everyone understood.
Stormwater Pond and Rain Garden Tour – Cooler than it sounds
You might be thinking, “Jessica, why do I want to see a stormwater pond? Aren’t those the artificial ponds in our neighborhoods and along the interstate?” You’re not wrong; you’ve seen them all over the place, but you haven’t seen one like this.
Most of the ones we see are mowed and sprayed, but the one at Stetson Aquatic Center is completely different. It has native plants and wildlife, and Jason Evans, Executive Director of IWER, will tell you all about them and why all those other stormwater ponds should look like the one at the aquatic center.
Evans will also walk you through the rain garden and explain its unique features and how they contribute to water quality.
Our homeschool group enjoyed all the flowering bushes near the pond and in the garden. They especially enjoyed the Mimosa pudica, a flowering plant that responds to touch, growing near the stormwater pond.
Bartram Pollinator Garden
The Bartram pollinator garden is full of native plants, like the Scarlet hibiscus. If you’re like me, you might not even know that Florida has a native hibiscus! It’s so pretty!
Evans will guide you through the garden, explaining the various plants and their function in the ecosystem.
He might even regale you with interesting and unique information, such as the time manatees ate plants out of the garden. You read that right, manatees in the garden. You’ll need to visit so you can hear him tell you how and when that happened.
The Lab
The IWER has a lab on the second floor of the Sandra Stetson Aquatic Center that is only accessible to field trips or guided visits.
Andrew Joesoef, Laboratory Manager, will have microscopes set up in the lab for your group. The specimens under the microscopes range from human tongue slides to entire insects.
Once everyone in your group has seen the current slides, Joesoef will change them so you can see even more specimens. Feel free to ask him questions. He’s more than happy to answer them.
I wasn’t sure how the kids would react to this part, especially some of the younger kids, but they all loved it. Even the parents were excited. The prettiest slide was the human rectum. Yep, we were surprised too!
Another bonus of seeing these specimens up close was that the lab is temperature-controlled, which is always an important thing, especially during extreme Florida temperatures.
Drone Demonstration
If you sign up for a guided tour, you’ll also receive a drone demonstration. But this isn’t just any old drone flying.
Joesoef will discuss how drones are being used to study our environment. It’s super interesting to learn about different drones, the measurements they take, where they are used, and how all this information is used in research.
A fun thing Joesoef does is to use his drone to take videos and photos of your group.
The kids had many questions about drones, and they shared their own experiences using them. It was very sweet, and they also learned new and unexpected things about drones.
Lake Beresford Mural
The Lake Beresford Mural, created by Johnny Dame in 2023, is on the restroom building wall facing the aquatic center.
When you visit as part of a field trip or guided visit, Program Coordinator Casey Ramey will discuss the mural and lead you through an all-ages I-spy activity.
Ramey will hand you a laminated sheet with all the items you need to find within the mural. Some of the items are natural native plants and animals, but some are historical artifacts found in the area, and others are just fun (Elvis and Tina Turner!).
Like the other activities my homeschool group experienced, it was a hit. It was great to see the kids so engaged in finding all the items and dropping hints to help their friends find them, too. Some items were easy to find, but others were nearly impossible to see (if you find the paleo spearpoint, you have to let me know in the comments!). The prize for finding all the items – bragging rights.
Public Canoe, Kayak, and Paddleboard Launch
The public canoe, kayak, and paddleboard launch is right next to the Fishing Pier. It is denoted by a small sign stating, “Only Public Non-Motorized Access Permitted.”
The Stetson Rowing Team has docks that are only for their use, and they are clearly marked. Pay attention to the signage so you launch from the correct spot.
We haven’t launched from here and probably won’t without a small group. There is a lot of water vegetation in the area, making it very hard to know what is in the water and even where the land ends and the water begins.
The advantages of launching here are:
- motorized boats can’t launch here
- it’s free
- no crowds
Walking Trail
A very short walking trail (paved and unpaved) runs through the Bartram gardens and into the woods toward Lake Beresford.
The section that goes into the woods can get muddy and flooded, but you will see the trail conditions before you get very far.
You can see the footpaths on a map at the Bartram Gardens & Trails entrance. Whatever route you choose, don’t worry, you won’t get lost.
Tips for a Visit to the Stetson Aquatic Center
If you are planning to visit the Stetson Aquatic Center, whether on your own or with a group, there are some things you need to know.
For all visits, keep in mind:
- no smoking on the premises
- no music
- direct sun/no shade at the:
- stormwater pond
- rainwater garden
- mural
Unguided Visit
If you are coming without IWER guides, make sure you park in the public parking lot. Your GPS will take you to Stetson Aquatic Center, but instead of turning into the aquatic center parking, you will keep going straight towards the Echo Volusia Sign and follow the drive. You will see parking on the left side labeled “Public Parking.”
From this parking area, you will see a sign for the Bartram Gardens & Trail. Enter here.
The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset.
Dogs are welcome but must be on a 6-foot leash at all times.
Field Trip/Guided Visit
In order to arrange a field trip or guided visit, reach out to Casey Ramey ( ca*****@st*****.edu ). She will help you get everything set up and can modify your visit to fit your group’s needs.
You can bring your lunch and eat it in the pavilion or the air-conditioned Lakeview Room.
You will be able to park right in front of the aquatic center.
Please note that you will not have access to the rowing program facilities.
Ready to Explore?
You can learn more about our local ecosystem by checking out:
- Lyonia Environmental Center
- Marine Science Center (closed until May 31, 2025)
- Explore Volusia programs