The controversy surrounding the proposed development of three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park by the veterans organization Folds of Honor was brought to light nearly a year before the state revealed its Great Outdoors Initiative. In December 2023, Folds of Honor founder and CEO Lt. Col. Dan Rooney and lobbyist Ryan Mathews met with Florida Rep. John Snyder to pitch their idea of building golf courses on 1,000 acres of protected scrubland within the park. However, Snyder expressed his lack of interest in the proposal but agreed to keep the conversation open for potential future discussions.
Prior to meeting with Snyder, representatives from Folds of Honor also pitched their idea to Martin County Commission Chair Harold Jenkins in October 2023. Despite lacking state legislative power, Jenkins was approached for support by Folds of Honor, who believed there could be better uses for Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Jenkins warned them of potential backlash, stating that they would “start a war,” which indeed happened as the proposal sparked public outcry and opposition in the community.
In September 2023, Florida Sen. Gayle Harrell was approached by Mathews and Rooney to sponsor a bill that would allow the development of golf courses in the state park. However, Harrell rejected the proposal, stating that while she appreciated Folds of Honor’s mission, it was not appropriate for their development to take place in state parks. Despite the rejection from Harrell and Snyder, Folds of Honor continued their efforts to push forward with their golf course development plans in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
The controversy surrounding the proposed golf courses involved the mysterious organization Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, which claimed responsibility for the plan. Despite claims to honor the Tuskegee Airmen, the true intentions and affiliations of the organization remained unclear. The leaked information of the golf course proposal raised public awareness and led to mounting public outcry, prompting the creation of a website by Tuskegee Dunes Foundation to address the backlash and clarify their position on the development.
The Great Outdoors Initiative, which included plans for recreational development in nine Florida state parks, faced backlash, leading to Governor Ron DeSantis disavowing any knowledge of the plans. Folds of Honor’s association with American Dunes Golf Club in Michigan raised questions about the true motivations behind their proposal, especially since a similar failed plan under former Governor Rick Scott in 2011 involved renowned golfer Jack Nicklaus. Despite ties to Nicklaus and their work at American Dunes, Folds of Honor faced strong opposition from local communities and officials in Florida.
As the controversy continued to escalate, DeSantis announced that the DEP would go back to the drawing board and reevaluate their plans for recreational development in state parks. The lack of transparency and public records regarding the involvement of Folds of Honor and Tuskegee Dunes Foundation in the Great Outdoors Initiative raised concerns about the motivations behind the proposed golf course development in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The future of the initiative remains uncertain as public opposition continues to grow, leading to calls for greater transparency and accountability in future development projects.
