By STAFF REPORTS
The Florida State Parks system in August introduced plans to design and construct pickleball courts, disc golf courses, golf courses, and overnight lodging at several park locations, efforts which are part of the Department’s 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative. After public pushback, and organized protests by environmental groups, the Department cancelled public meetings and withdrew plans.
According to draft Unit Management Plan Amendments posted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website, the Department proposed different solutions to attract new visitors to the state’s award-winning parks system. Eight public meetings were originally scheduled at different locations on Aug. 27. On Aug. 23, after scores of calls and public interest in commenting on the plans, the Department said it was rescheduling meetings.
On Aug. 28, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Department would go, “back to the drawing board,” adding that he had not approved the plans.
“Here’s the thing – I’d rather not spend any money on this, right? I mean, if people don’t want improvements, don’t do it,” he said. “They’re not doing anything this year. They’re going to go back and basically listen to folks. A lot of that stuff was half baked and not ready for primetime.”
At Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound, the Department documentation stated that golf and associated facilities would be, “designed and developed in harmony with the surrounding natural environments and will meet or exceed standards provided by the DEP/University of Florida IFAS Best Management Practices or the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program Standards.” Additionally, the plan would prioritize avoiding sensitive habitat in the design of the facilities, using already improved lands at the park.
At Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, the Department proposed using “an area of altered upland” of about 7,200 square feet to build pickleball courts.
“Pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in the U.S., so why not add it to one of our most visited parks?” the Department wrote on its X account on Aug. 21. “The area near the South Beach Access at Honeymoon Island State Park is already modified and can be easily converted to pickleball courts.”
At Grayton Beach State Park, plans called for design of pickleball courts and a disc golf course to, “diversify recreational opportunities and meet demands for new trends.” The plan included up to four pickleball courts and one disc golf course where “day-use activity and camping are concentrated.” The plan there also proposed up to 10 cabins and a beach access restroom in the west tract of the property.
Other draft management plans proposed glamping and cabin sites and other recreational activities.
The Florida State Parks system boasts 175 state parks spanning nearly 800,000 acres, which attracts nearly 30 million visitors annually, according to the Department. Draft management plans and subsequent public meetings and public comment periods are the Department’s standard procedure for making changes to state parks.
