On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis promoted his initiatives to restore the Everglades and improve water quality, as his administration’s plan to build golf courses, lodging, and pickleball courts in some state parks garnered backlash.
“We have done more in our tenure, in terms of Everglades restoration, in terms of improving water quality — what we’re doing with the Indian River Lagoon, nobody’s done. It’s historic,” the governor said during a press conference on Thursday, during which he announced a $5.8 million grant for Space Coast Regional Airport.
It’s not just environmental groups ringing the alarm about the plan — Senate President Katleen Passidomo, plus a Panhandle Republican lawmaker and members of the Florida Cabinet have come out against the plan, which would disturb the landscape at nine parks across the state. The Cabinet comprises independently elected statewide officers who help governors oversee state land.
Passidomo said in a statement to the Florida Phoenix that the state has worked to improve outdoor activities, such as biking and hiking, not hotels and golf courses.
“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature,” she said. “I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”
The DeSantis administration portrays the proposed changes as an attempt to make the parks more accessible. Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s press secretary wrote in a statement that the plans aren’t final.
“The agency’s initial recommendations are based on public input and proposals — from pickleball to golf to additional bike trails and camping access; the proposals vary and may not all be approved. Finally, recommendations will be evaluated, and no final decisions will be made until the public comment and review process has been completed,” he wrote.
Panhandle Sen. Jay Trumbull, who chairs the Committee on Commerce and Tourism, took to X to express his “strong opposition” on Thursday, writing that the state should not try to compete with private businesses.
“Our state parks are a treasure, and they should remain focused on their primary mission: offering a refuge for those who seek to experience Florida’s natural beauty in its purest form,” he wrote. “I urge my fellow lawmakers and citizens to join me in protecting these parks from unnecessary development and ensuring that our natural heritage is preserved for all to enjoy.”
Three of the nine state parks targeted in the expansion — Camp Helen, Topsail Hill Preserve, and Grayton Beach — fall within his district.
Two of his cabinet members, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, shared their concerns with building infrastructure in state parks, according to Florida Politics.
“Public lands should be enjoyed and protected. We have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure in state parks,” Simpson told Florida Politics. He also posted the comment on X. The news organization also quoted Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis warning against starting down a “slippery slope.”
“The current state parks have established designation, design, followings for their theme or characteristics,” Patronis said.
House Speaker Paul Renner and Speaker-elect Danny Perez did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and X.
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kmskepton
BTW - Floridians generated so much interest in this that they had to reschedule the meetings to the first week in September. Way to go, us!
From the Florida Wildlife Federation ...
"The groundswell of opposition is working thanks to YOUR 165,230 emails sent!
Due to your advocacy, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has had to reschedule and look for new locations for the public meetings for the nine state park development plans.
On Friday, August 23rd, FDEP announced via X (twitter) that due to an “overwhelming interest” in the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative they will have to find new venues to accommodate the public. "
Saturday, August 24 Report this
WTF
What a ridiculous concept to even consider. Go to any state park in Florida and you will find dozens of golf courses within a few miles of every state park. Folks that go to state park school there for the nature and serenity of the natural environment not to listen to clubs beating up golf balls. In addition, there are a record number of golf courses that are closing and if the state wants to takeover of those golf courses then that’s the direction they should go but leave our state Parks alone.
Let’s not even bring up the environmental disaster that comes with golf courses in the tons of pesticides, the constant maintenance of gasoline powered equipment on a daily basis does not belong our sacred state Parks
That $18,000 golf simulator that was given to Governor Desantis must have subliminal microwave brainwashing capabilities.
WTF…Welcome To Florida
Sunday, August 25 Report this
dreed135
To make our parks more accessible more parks should be created. Most of our parks are already overcrowded just are so many other elements of our state. This proposal is so asinine it has to be driven by some nefarious underlying agenda.
Sunday, August 25 Report this
Rlasunto
Developers puppet.
The end game here is to have luxuary condo complexes built by his favorite donors and continue to eliminate
anything that us “WOKE” environmentalists enjoy. When will the voters see the irreparable damage that the DeSantis Republican regime is doing to Florida?
Sunday, August 25 Report this
sandy
We can't do anything with DeSantis. He's in his last two years of his second term. Good news, he can't run again.
Sunday, August 25 Report this
DPKAISER
Big donors want to build hotels and golf courses (sounds like Trump) in state parks. Any surprise DeSantis is fund raising from these folks? Maybe a great big Buckees for good measure.
Wednesday, August 28 Report this