The Grand Opening was a celebration of the successful partnership between the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park and the Division of Recreation and Parks. In addition to the newly completed Wildlife Walk, visitors to the Grand Opening event enjoyed roving interpreters with examples of Florida's wildlife at the rain shelters and overlooks along the Wildlife Walk.

The Partnership in Parks program helped make possible the Wildlife Walk Phases I and II. The Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park raised sixty percent of the total funds, with the State of Florida providing the remaining forty percent to make this project a reality. It took the Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park three years to raise the funds for Phase II. These funds were matched with State funding, bringing the project cost to $482,167. The Friends raised their portion through a variety of methods ranging from large public events such as dinner dances to selling popcorn along with contributions from visitors, businesses and the Felburn Foundation.

Phase II of the Wildlife Walk includes new habitats and night houses for the cougars, bobcats, black bears, and reptiles as well as 1,000 feet of elevated boardwalk, two combination rain shelters and overlooks, a Wildlife Encounters Pavilion, two bridges, and a new restroom facility.