DUNEDIN, Fla. — Proposals for new developments including lodging, glamping sites, golf courses and pickleball courts across several Florida State Parks is facing backlash from environmentalists and a growing group of bipartisan lawmakers.
On Wednesday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled project plans for nine state parks as part of their “Great Outdoors Initiative,” aimed at expanding public access and recreation opportunities across the state.
Under the proposed concepts:
- Anastasia State Park (St. Johns County) would see a 350-room lodge constructed.
- Camp Helen State Park (Bay County) would see 10 cabins constructed for lodging and “glamping.”
- Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County) would see an additional 10 cabins constructed plus a beach-access restroom
- Hillsborough River State Park (Hillsborough County) would see 4 new pickleball courts and a disc golf course
- Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County) would see 4 new pickleball courts.
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Martin County) would see a public golf course
- Oleta River State Park (Miami-Dade County) would see construction of new cabins, pickleball courts and disc golf courses.
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County) would see construction of a 350 room lodge, pickleball courts and a disc golf course.
- Dr. Von Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (Broward County) would see 4 new pickleball courts.
But these plans were met with immediate protest from folks concerned about the potential environmental impacts.
“The idea for these state parks was to maintain the habitats and keep them pristine,” Terri Currier, a concerned citizen, said. “I'm thinking the priority here is getting lost.”
Environmental groups like the Sierra Club are mobilizing to push back ahead of public meetings to discuss the proposals next week.
“To take that precious natural space and turn it into pavement, just seems so contrary to what we should be doing,” Bryan Beckman, the executive chair of the Suncoast Sierra Club, said.
DEP addressed those concerns on social media, saying, "Our efforts to enhance public access, recreation and accommodations are for EVERYONE. The public’s input is welcomed and always valued.”
However, it’s not just activists, several prominent politicians from both sides of the aisle have publicly pushed back on the proposals.
Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) called the proposals “outrageous.”
Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) wrote, "We do not need to commercialize state parks.”
At the state level, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson also criticized the plans and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo wrote they “should not move forward,” in their current form.
We reached out to Governor DeSantis' office for comment. Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern provided the following:
“The Department of Environmental Protection and the Division of Parks are looking at recommendations for ways to enhance Florida’s parks to make them more visitor-friendly. There will be multiple phases of public discussion to evaluate stakeholders' feedback. 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.
Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him. No administration has done more than we have to conserve Florida’s natural resources, grow conservation lands, and keep our environment pristine. But it's high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”
Public meetings are scheduled for projects at 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, August 27 in areas across the state.
Here in the Tampa Bay region, you can provide public comment for projects at:
- Hillsborough River State Park, Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
- Honeymoon Island State Park, The District, 11141 U.S. 19 N., Suite 204, Clearwater