Florida’s parks could get pickleball, golf courses under Gov. DeSantis-admin proposal
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Two people riding bicycles on Park Drive in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The future of Florida's state parks is in question given the state's Department of Environmental Protection's new push to convert some park space into pickleball courts, golf courses and hotel rooms.
Why it matters: The changes, first reported by the Tampa Bay Times, have Floridians, environmentalists and conservation groups voicing concern the project could threaten sensitive habitats in some of the state's most beloved public spaces.
Driving the news: The DeSantis administration is proposing changes to nine state parks.
- Oleta State Park in Miami-Dade could get a disc golf course and pickleball courts.
- Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson in Broward County may see pickleball courts.
- Hillsborough River State Park could get a disc golf course and pickleball courts.
- Honeymoon Island State Park could get pickleball courts.
Other parks face more extreme changes.
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County could see 45 holes of golf added and the removal of the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower.
- A 350-room lodge is among the changes proposed for both Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Santa Rosa Beach.
The Department of Environmental Protection said the state's outdoor recreation economy "generat[ed] over $52 billion in economic output" in 2022 and that the new initiative would support that economy, but didn't provide specifics.
Friction point: The Florida Wildlife Federation and others are warning that the new amenities would overlay rare habitats, while many parks already have a variety of lodging and recreational spaces.
- The state "has no shortage of places to swing a golf club, sample the continental breakfast or try your hand at pickleball," yet it's become "increasingly rare" to experience the state's natural beauty, the Audubon Society wrote in a call to action against the plans.
Flashback: In 2011, there was a brief push to let legendary golfer and golf-course designer Jack Nicklaus build golf courses on state parks.
- The idea was to promote tourism and mirror the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, according to WUSF.
- Lawmakers withdrew the proposal after immediate public outcry.
What's next: The agency is set to hold meetings across the state on Tuesday (3pm-4pm) to discuss the plans, per the Times.
- Environmental groups are encouraging residents to attend the meetings and speak out.
- It's unclear when the overhaul could take effect.