FLORIDA — Speaking at a news conference in Winter Haven on Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said a Florida Department of Environment Protection plan to add several types of amenities to at least nine state parks will “go back to the drawing board.”
This comes after residents and environmental groups pushed back against the “2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative” that was shared last week.
Despite a series of eight public hearings scheduled by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that included detailed descriptions of the nine parks and the amenities planned for each one, DeSantis said he never saw or approved the plan, claiming it was leaked.
The DEP rescheduled those hearings after critics said the plan goes against the essence of what a Florida state park is.
Calling the plan “half-baked,” and “not ready for prime-time,” DeSantis said the initiative will not move forward this year and that officials will take the time to listen to citizens.
“If people don’t want improvements, then don’t do it," DeSantis said during Wednesday's press conference.
The nine parks that were initially intended for developments were:
- Anastasia State Park
- Camp Helen State Park
- Dr. Von D Mizell Eula Johnson State Park
- Grayton Beach State Park
- Hillsborough River State Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park
- Oleta River State Park
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Some amenities included in the DEP documents were:
- A 350-room lodge with beach access at Anastasia State Park
- Up to 10 new cabins and a “glamping area” at Camp Helen State Park
- Pickleball courts at Dr. Von. D Mizell Eula Johnson State Park, Hillsborough River State Park and Honeymoon Island State Park
- A new golf course, and associated facilities, at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which could require the relocation of the park’s entrance, offices and staff residences
- Additional cabins and “glamping” facilities at Oleta River State Park
- A 350-room lodge at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park