The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s surprise announcement of the “Great Outdoors Initiative” to convert sections of several protected Florida State Parks into golf courses, lodges, and other non-traditional park amenities has sparked opposition. Among the proposed changes is the introduction of 45 holes of golf to Jonathan Dickinson State Park, an 11,500-acre park in Martin County. The lack of public input in the development of these plans has raised concerns among stakeholders and environmental advocates.
The sudden release of the plans by the Department of Environmental Protection, without detailed descriptions of the golf courses, has left many surprised. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, who has been an advocate for environmental protection, expressed his shock at the lack of communication regarding the park proposals. Governor Ron DeSantis’s spokesman responded to criticism by emphasizing that the proposed changes are aimed at enhancing public access and utilization of the parks.
While this is not the first time golf has been proposed in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, previous plans were met with public backlash and ultimately discarded. Florida is home to over 1,300 golf courses, and the majority of them are open to the public. The state operates 175 state parks, offering a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities while minimizing human impact on the environment.
The proposed plans also include the introduction of pickleball, disc golf, paddling, cabins, and lodges with up to 350 rooms at several state parks. Public meetings have been scheduled for August 27 in counties where park changes have been proposed, but the limited time for public input has raised concerns among opponents. They argue that the rushed meetings do not allow for a thorough discussion of the proposed changes.
Governor DeSantis, who is a frequent golfer, has emphasized that the agency’s recommendations are based on public input and proposals, ranging from pickleball to golf to additional biking trails and camping access. The final decisions on the proposed changes will be made after the public comment and review process has been completed. The future of Florida State Parks and their historic mission could be altered significantly if the new proposals are implemented.
Critics of the “Great Outdoors Initiative” are calling for more transparency and meaningful public input in the decision-making process. They argue that the rushed nature of the public meetings and limited comment periods do not allow for a thorough evaluation of the potential impacts of the proposed changes. It remains to be seen how the controversy surrounding the conversion of protected state parks into golf courses and other amenities will be resolved.
