Florida’s Golf Course Plans in Hot Water

Florida’s Golf Course Plans in Hot Water

In an unexpected twist of fate, plans to build golf courses on some of Florida’s most cherished state park land have hit a snag. Residents, environmentalists, and lawmakers are waving their flags, and it seems like the noise is just too loud to ignore!

The Great Outdoors Initiative

Back in August, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection unveiled the Great Outdoors Initiative, which sparked quite the uproar when it was revealed that the proposal included construction for two 18-hole golf courses and a nine-hole course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. As if that wasn’t enough, additional plans for pickleball courts and disc golf courses were also on the table for several other state parks across the sunshine state.

Among the parks mentioned were Oleta River State Park in Miami-Dade County, Honeymoon Island State Park in Pinellas County, Camp Helen State Park in Bay County, Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward County, Grayton Beach State Park in Walton County, and Hillsborough River State Park in Hillsborough County. In a bid to turn these state parks into mini-resorts, the plan even included the construction of lodges with up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

The Tuskegee Dunes Foundation was behind the golf course dreams, claiming that these new facilities would share the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a heroic group of African American pilots from WWII. However, the announcement was like tossing a match on gasoline when environmental activists caught wind of the leaked plans.

Public Outcry and Government Reaction

Immediately after the proposal came to light, it was met with a wave of criticism. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis called the initiative “half-baked,” and he quickly put a stop to it amid bipartisan backlash. The uproar even drew attention from Republican State Senator Gayle Harrell, who wasted no time introducing a new bill – the State Park Preservation Act.

The newly proposed bill seeks to strictly cut golf courses, tennis courts, and other commercial sports facilities out of state parks altogether. Instead, it advocates for parks to be places for activities that preserve the environment, allowing for things like fishing, camping, hiking, and so on, while putting a definite “no entry” sign on sports that need built facilities.

The Voices of Opposition

While many were relieved, some still voiced doubts about the administration’s genuine commitment to preserving these natural spaces. State Senate President Kathleen Passidomo was clear in her disapproval. On social media, she reaffirmed the priorities stating, “Our goal was to enhance access to passive recreational activities like hiking, biking or canoeing.” She firmly opposed the idea, suggesting it contradicted the serene enjoyment of nature.

Other political figures echoed her sentiments. Jimmy Patronis, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, warned against the slippery slope of tampering with established public lands for commercial projects. “Public lands should be enjoyed and protected,” he reiterated, calling the golf course proposal a mistake.

Petitioning for Change

On the community front, residents weren’t holding back, either. A petition against the project garnered nearly 100,000 signatures in under a week, highlighting the firm belief that Florida does not need more golf courses crowding its open spaces. Comments flooded in with offers for statistics, emphasizing that there are already 47 golf courses within a limited 20-mile stretch between Stuart and Jupiter alone. “We do not need to destroy a beloved state park,” one organizer lamented, making it clear that preserving nature was key.

The Governor’s Final Word

After the dust settled, DeSantis remarked that a lot of the initiative’s plans were “half-baked” and that he would rather not waste funds on projects that the public didn’t want. He seemed to shrug off concerns, saying, “If people don’t want improvements, then don’t do it.”

With Harrell’s bill set to roll into considerations during Florida’s legislative session starting March 4, 2025, it could reshape the future of state parks in the sunshine state, steering clear of corporate interests and protecting Florida’s natural treasures once and for all.