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'This is above partisanship. We must stay united to fight for our community!'

Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are slamming a plan to build hotels and golf courses in Florida state parks.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, issued a lengthy statement on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plans to put more active uses in nine state parks.

“Florida natural spaces are unique and special, and I adamantly oppose Governor DeSantis’ radical plan to literally pave paradise and put up a pickleball court,” Castor said.

“He aims to sell out our most beloved parks to the highest bidder under the guise of outdoor recreation. Florida’s unique natural lands and habitats — our state’s identity and way of life — should not be bulldozed to cut developers a cheap deal. DeSantis’ plan will harm our state’s ability to draw over 30 million visitors as many come to enjoy our natural places. This move marks the latest effort by the Governor to prioritize profits over the planet, following his administration’s repeated anti-environment, anti-climate actions.”

Her remarks came a day after Republican U.S. Reps. Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast publicly criticized the proposals. Both lawmakers campaigned extensively with DeSantis when he ran for Governor in 2018, but later endorsed Donald Trump over DeSantis for President during the 2024 cycle.

“Sadly, some politicians are already trying to use this asinine proposal to divide our community along partisan lines. They should be ashamed of themselves for stooping so low,” Mast posted. “We cannot let them succeed! This is above partisanship. We must stay united to fight for our community!”

That came after the Stuart Republican posted, “Over my dead body will there be a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park!”

Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican, said he supported Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis for questioning the plans.

“This is the CORRECT take from these solid Florida Men,” Gaetz posted. “Would love to see a trove of state lawmakers join these Republican leaders in this stance.”

He also shared a post from his father, Florida Senate candidate Don Gaetz, questioning the plan. A number of Democratic and Republican state lawmakers are criticizing the proposal, including Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and two other Republicans in line to serve as President of the Florida Senate, Jim Boyd and Jay Trumbull.

Condemnation from Washington is increasingly including voices across the political spectrum.

“We have rampant development across Florida,” said Rep. Darren Soto, a Kissimmee Democrat. “Our state parks are supposed to be preserves that protect water, wildlife and natural recreation. Pleased to join a bipartisan call to stop this shortsighted plan.”

DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern issued a statement to the conservative blog Florida’s Voice saying the plan would allow more Floridians to enjoy the state parks.

“Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him,” Redfern said. “No administration has done more than we have to conserve Florida’s natural resources, grow conservation lands, and keep our environment pristine. But it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”

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23 comments

Elmo
August 23, 2024 at 12:06 pm

Ron DeSantis is a psychopath who must be stopped.
LT
August 23, 2024 at 1:03 pm

You want to make the state parks accessible? Provide transportation. Duh. Nobody wants pickleball, golf course or hotels/lodges in our state parks.
- Will
  August 23, 2024 at 5:01 pm
  
  amen
Paula Hillier
August 23, 2024 at 1:15 pm

This is an outrageous plan! Our state parks “the real Florida” are not the place for golf courses, pickle ball courts & high rise hotels on pristine beaches. There are already places that provide for those activities. State parks are for wildlife, flora and being in nature. This plan must be stopped! Our wildlife is already threatened by overdevelment and now they want to develop THEIR land too?? This is absolutely nuts and unnecessary. Go develop a dead strip mall site! You’ve already destroyed that land. Leave our state parks alone!!!
Dont Say FLA
August 23, 2024 at 1:33 pm

Is Rhonda trying to undermine the MAGA party on purpose?

What a sad, vindictive little baby, but keep it up, Rhonda! LOLS
Rick
August 23, 2024 at 4:08 pm

M as the just maybe all of you knee jerk reactionary’s need to do a little research. These particular parks, practically no one uses. I’ve actually been to several of the parks mentioned and other than the park personal and myself, no no one was there.

Maybe by bringing more activities to the parks, people will go there more and enjoy the park. Seriously no one is there.
- Will
  August 23, 2024 at 4:56 pm
  
  it’s not a knee jerk reaction people are having. maybe if you did research besides what is based on your opinion or your political view you will see it’s about making a profit. people do visit these parks. the amount of people visiting is based on knowledge of the park. getting people to know and learn about our beautiful parks doesn’t have to be done on the behest of companies making profit. not trying to offend you, but if you look at both sides and I don’t think you would support it. but maybe you will because you can’t see past your political views.
- david
  August 24, 2024 at 10:35 am
  
  nobody being there is the point. these are protected natural areas for wildlife. Florida scrub is an endangered habitat. play at one of the other thousands golf or pickleball courses in Florida
- Bill
  August 24, 2024 at 11:19 am
  
  I am a state park volunteer. If the state would fund the parks more, to make improvements and entice people to visit the parks like they used to. All the hotels, golf courses etc will do is flatten the land removing what FL is, take over the “homes” of wildlife, etc. FUND THE PARKS…Desantis has millions of $$$ surplus a year ago, but state parks are operating on worn out equipment, short staffed, no firewood to sell, limited funds for equipment fuel, etc. Go volunteer at a state park and you will see the results of underfunded parks.
- Christy
  August 25, 2024 at 8:33 am
  
  It is absurd for you to state there parks are not used. Johnathan Dickinson Stars Park is widely used, with very popular bike trails, hiking trails, camping and beautiful kayaking through the cypress swamps on the Wild and scenic Loxahatchee River. Though the river is not directly proposed for development, you better believe it would be impacted by building 3 golf courses, dumping fertilizer into its watershed. People are furious, as they should be. Go build on non- protected land.
- Tom lusk
  August 25, 2024 at 5:38 pm
  
  R
  Your so outta touch with south Florida.
  Meet me at JD park and we will show you how our area reacreates. Bike groups, hike groups, paddleboard groups, kayak groups, scouting groups, walkers, campsite areas that are booked a year in advance and ALL without having a golf course. I’ve been in FL 70 years. How long have you ?
- kathy
  August 26, 2024 at 1:31 pm
  
  not true, lots of people use these parks. Do some researchhttps://floridastateparksfoundation.org/impact/park-impact-sheets/
Gloria
August 23, 2024 at 4:24 pm

Yes pave Paradise to put up a parking lot. When you turn a Park into a golf course that means more pollution from fertilizer and lots of water to keep the grass green plus you displace animal habitat.
Jess
August 23, 2024 at 6:08 pm

The last thing we need in the state is more golf courses. Seriously. There are too many empty courses as it is
Joan Jaggers
August 24, 2024 at 5:49 am

This proposal will benefit only the developers and hand them a pocket full of cash at the loss and expense of the people of Florida. For shame!
Donald I Waiberman
August 24, 2024 at 6:43 am

I am so disappointed in DeSantos for even thinking of proposing this. I assumed that he was a proponent of Florida State Parks and not for development. They always say, follow the money. How much was he bribed? SMH!
Michael
August 24, 2024 at 1:08 pm

THIS is exactly what most Florida voters have been voting FOR during several decades.
VOTE BLUE instead.
Stephen
August 24, 2024 at 7:19 pm

Desantis just killed his career. One bad idea killed it all. Good job.
Jojo
August 25, 2024 at 9:25 am

“ More accessible “??? How much more accessible can you get that to drive up to the ranger hut, pay your reasonable entrance fee and drive in?
These people are pathetic
Don’t fall for it
August 25, 2024 at 10:38 am

This is all a political stunt to help republicans win their elections because they are losing. So what do we do? Fabricate something to make them look good and be fighters for the environment. Don’t fall for it
FL Native
August 26, 2024 at 6:00 am

I hate what Ron DeSantis has done to this state. It started with Rick Scott and now Ron is even more destructive. Both are greedy leeches sucking the life out of Florida and its beautiful resources for their own personal gain. Wake up Floridians, they must be stopped!
- kathy
  August 26, 2024 at 1:32 pm
  
  I agree
FloGrown1955
August 28, 2024 at 11:33 am

Doubling down on this decision is just plain political suicide, DeSantis is using others to fight his battle. This Republican will not vote for him again in any office if he rapes our state.