Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced that a contentious proposal to develop golf courses and pickleball courts at state parks is being reconsidered. The plan, which drew criticism and protests, will be revised following public outcry and bipartisan opposition, including disapproval from Florida’s Republican Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.
DeSantis emphasized that if the public does not support the improvements, they will not proceed with the project. The Department of Environmental Protection, under the governor’s administration, revealed the plans recently, leading to demonstrations at the parks and bipartisan resistance. The proposal included public hearings near nine affected parks, but amidst escalating dissent, one park’s golf course concept was dropped, and hearings were postponed.
Even before DeSantis addressed the issue, interest in developing a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park was withdrawn by Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, the primary advocate for the development. Despite initial support from DeSantis’ press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, who believed in expanding recreational opportunities, the governor distanced himself from the proposal when speaking publicly on Wednesday.
Opposition to the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” as termed by the governor, has crossed party lines in Florida, a state often divided along partisan beliefs. The attempt to enhance public lands has encountered resistance from various political factions, including environmental organizations like the Sierra Club. State parks in Florida are seen as vital spaces of nature, amid extensive development along coastlines.
The decision to reconsider the development plans followed widespread demonstrations at state parks and the DEP headquarters. Protestors, numbering in the hundreds, gathered with signs advocating for the preservation of natural lands over commercial development. Organizations such as Audubon Florida expressed gratitude for the governor’s responsiveness to public sentiment.
With public pressure mounting over a span of eight days, DeSantis was compelled to backtrack on the proposed developments at nine state parks. Advocates for conservation remain vigilant, ensuring continued protection of Florida’s natural habitats and wildlife amid ongoing discussions around the Great Outdoors Initiative.
