Jacob Ogles
Florida legislative leaders are pushing back on plans by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to build lodging and golf courses in state parks.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican, slammed the proposal for nine state parks to redesignate areas for more active uses.
“We have worked hard to improve our state parks with the goal of protecting and preserving natural habitats, and enhancing access to passive recreational activities like hiking, biking or canoeing,” Passidomo posted on X.
“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”
Passidomo during her two years leading the Senate has pushed for major investment and expansion of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.
Plans by the Department of Environmental Protection were unveiled ahead of public meetings planned simultaneously on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m.
Conceptual land use maps and meeting location details have been noticed by DEP regarding the plans for nine state parks: Hillsborough River State Park; Honeymoon Island State Park; Oleta River State Park; Jonathan Dickinson State Park; Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park; Anastasia State Park; Camp Helen State Park; Topsail Hill Preserve State Park; and Grayton Beach State Park.
Passidomo came out against the plan after both Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis voiced alarm about the proposals.
Other members of the Legislature are also criticizing the plans.
“As a State Senator, I am committed to preserving the unique and irreplaceable natural landscapes that make Florida so special. Today, I stand in strong opposition to the proposed expansion of state parks to include golf courses and associated facilities in our state parks, particularly in Camp Helen, Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Parks, which have been targeted in the initial expansion and hold a place of enormous importance to our district,” posted Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican.
“Our state parks should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities. Our state parks are a treasure and they should remain focused on their primary mission: offering a refuge for those who seek to experience Florida’s natural beauty in its purest form. I urge my fellow lawmakers and citizens to join me in protecting these parks from unnecessary development and ensuring that our natural heritage is preserved for all to enjoy.”
Rep. Adam Anderson, a Palm Harbor Republican, criticized the entire Great Outdoors Initiative driving the changes.
“There is nothing great about the Department of Environmental Protection’s announcement of the Great Outdoors Initiative,” Anderson said in a statement. “The proposal to introduce new developments, such as golf courses and additional tourist attractions, poses a significant threat to wildlife habitats and the pristine surroundings that define our state parks. Our state parks are where our families get to experience Florida’s greatest treasures and make lifelong memories. Our focus as a State should be on ways to enhance, not degrade, those memories.
“We should concentrate our efforts and funds on beach renourishment, improving and maintaining our existing structures, and conserving the natural environment of these parks that Floridians love. Florida is already home to numerous golf courses and pickleball courts, and adding more, especially at Honeymoon Island State Park, is not just foolhardy — it’s wrong. These acts could aggravate ongoing environmental challenges, harm our vulnerable coastlines and estuaries, and increase the likelihood of red tide events along the Gulf.”
DEP officials announced the initiative last week, presenting the effort as a boost to Florida’s ecotourism. The agency has responded to the outrage since the announcement was first made.
“There is A LOT of confusion out there about the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative and our efforts to increase public access, recreation and lodging throughout Florida State parks,” reads an X post from DEP.
In a thread of posts, the agency attempts to explain the reasoning behind proposals at each of the nine parks in question. For example, it said visitation is already high at Anastasia State Park, and the state only wants to expand lodging similar to what already exists at parks like Wakulla Springs.
Regarding a controversial plan for two 18-hole golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, DEP stresses that golf is popular.
“We are considering the addition of golf — one of our nation’s most popular sports — in a way that will minimize habitat impacts and leverage already-disturbed areas,” the thread states.
Sen. Ileana Garcia, a Miami Republican, said she agreed with Passidomo. “Our responsibility is to protect our ecosystems, natural areas, water sources, marine and wildlife,” she posted on X.
Sen. Jim Boyd, a Bradenton Republican, also chimed in against the DEP plans. Notably, Boyd is in line to become Senate President in 2026 if Republicans control the chamber.
“State parks allow residents and visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of our state,” he posted on X. “The parks also preserve natural lands, restore H20 resources and provide wildlife habitat. While I support public access, the plan to build hotels and pickle ball courts on our parks is a step too far.”
Some Democratic lawmakers were also eager to align themselves with Passidomo. Sen. Shevrin Jones, a Miami Gardens Democrat, reposted the Republican Senate President’s message with the short message, “Agreed!”
Additionally, Sen. Jason Pizzo, a Miami-Dade Democrat expected to lead his caucus after the November elections, said he stood with Passidomo.
He shared a picture from his office of Oleta River State Park, “one of two state parks (nine statewide) serving our community, which is contemplating for development. On behalf of our 575,000 constituents, I join President Kathleen Passidomo in opposition to what’s been proposed.”
16 comments
Jojo
August 22, 2024 at 5:27 pm
So our Florida legislators are showing a little guts? What a surprise they didn’t roll right over as they usually do when the governor snaps his fingers. And for this piece of nonsense to come out of the Dept of Environmental PROTECTION???
tom palmer
August 22, 2024 at 5:31 pm
This is unbelievable. The spin is worse. To compare the Wakulla Lodge to a 350-unit “lodge” is dishonest. Of course, honesty is not a world I usually associate with the DeSantis regime anyway. The crazy part is he had some idea of getting away with this. However, you wonder whether there is another agenda at work that could surprise people.
Larry Gillis, Libertarian (Cape Coral)
August 22, 2024 at 6:25 pm
The Libertarian Party of Florida does not believe the Government should be in the “Parks” business at ALL. Specifically, our 2022 Platform says (in pertinent part): “… X. Environment … 2. State Land Privatization …
We look forward to the day when all property not required for police and court functions are returned to private ownership and control. … We oppose the creation of new government parks or wilderness and recreation areas. Such parks and areas that already exist should be transferred to non-government ownership. Pending such transfer, their operating costs should be borne by their users rather than by taxpayers. … “
Pastor Pasta
August 22, 2024 at 7:28 pm
That’s great Larry. That’s also why almost no one is a Libertarian. Y’all come off as a bunch of selfish, greedy killjoys.
Josh Green
August 22, 2024 at 9:10 pm
And who cares? The Libertarian Party is a joke, with nothing but a bunch of losers and idiots as members.
tom palmer
August 22, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Larry, preserving park lands is part of protecting our heritage and the majority of voters agree with this idea. That is why they vote to tax themselves in counties allover Florida to protect what [s left.
eat n park?
August 22, 2024 at 7:52 pm
The Florida Constitution established policy to protect Florida’s natural resources and scenic beauty. Look it up. But then the GOP DeSatan administration doesn’t care about the constitution. We also have a Government in the Sunshine right to access records. Oops, the GOP legislature keeps chipping away away at that one.
Josh Green
August 22, 2024 at 9:09 pm
Hey DeSantis supporters. You seeing this? Do you finally get it?
The man is an absolute f*cking moron. A disgrace, and a piece of human excrement.
Knocking down State Parks to put in Golf Courses? Are you kidding me?
KathrynA
August 22, 2024 at 9:16 pm
It would appear from casual driving that the state of Florida has plenty of golf courses. Protect what little natural environment we have left!!
LexT
August 23, 2024 at 8:53 am
The point of conservation land was to conserve the land. The proposed Anastasia Park Hotel has one of the biggest hotels in St. Johns County, within walking distance of it. The park does not need a hotel. Golf Courses take up a lot of land, they do not run with the concept of conserving natural space. Where in Florida do we not have a golf course close by? There is no need for more golf courses. I am open to things that would increase park usage, so long as they do not have large impacts on the primary purpose of state parks… conservation of the natural environment.
Fred
August 23, 2024 at 10:35 am
We have seen enough development in florida.
Leave our state parks , as they should be natural, peacefull .
If you feel the need to spend money ?
Put it into conservation of our state parks .
Or you could put it into K- 12 education & better pay for teachers as well as school bus drivers .
We do not need a hotel , golf course , on environmental sensitive state parks .
just sayin
August 23, 2024 at 12:28 pm
I voted for DeSantis and would again, but what a completely stupid idea.
Bill Pollard
August 23, 2024 at 5:31 pm
Almost immediately I saw people from both parties react in horror to this idea. We don’t need resorts, golf courses, and the like in our state parks.
Cindy
August 25, 2024 at 2:24 pm
Park’s were made in depression
It kept people alive and out of soup kitchens. Preserve is not bike riding through it
Delusions
August 25, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Park’s are to get away from the economy world for most. And what’s Left of the habitation of mangroves before all gets called on the endangered list
Nicole Crosby
August 26, 2024 at 11:02 am
Regarding the argument that the state only wants to expand lodging similar to what already exists at parks like Wakulla Springs…
Wakulla Springs Lodge is a 27-room hotel surrounded by 6,000 acres!! What’s proposed at Anastasia is 350 roooms surrounded by just 1600 acres. So the proposal is not at all similar to Wakulla. Furthermore, Wakulla Springs Lodge is a 1937 historic landmark worthy of preservation. The proposed hotel at Anastasia would be brand new. And we don’t need the pickleball, etc. either. That’s a hard NO.
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