Dealing with widespread opposition throughout the political spectrum, Gov. Ron DeSantis ‘ plan to develop state parks with enterprise ventures—akin to golf programs, pickleball courts, and huge resorts—has hit a snag after a key supporter pulled the plug.
The Division of Environmental Safety confirmed in an e-mail that one group is now not pursuing golf programs at pristine Jonathan Dickinson State Park in southeast Florida. The company assertion got here after the backer, a nonprofit referred to as Tuskegee Dunes Basis, withdrew its proposal over the weekend.
“This project will be removed from agency review,” DEP spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta mentioned within the e-mail.
It wasn’t clear Monday what influence the Dickinson choice might need on DEP’s total “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which envisions quite a lot of initiatives at 9 state parks for individuals to get pleasure from common websites, in keeping with officers.
“It’s excessive time we made public lands extra accessible to the general public,” mentioned Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis’ press secretary, in a submit on the social platform X.
But the outcry was so intense when the plan turned public final week that DEP scrapped hearings that had been deliberate for Tuesday—one hour in every location, in midafternoon when many individuals are working. They opted as an alternative to reschedule the hearings for after Labor Day. Officers didn’t instantly reply Monday to questions on new listening to particulars, together with whether or not they may go ahead in any respect.
The opposition got here from all corners. Republican Sens. Rick Scott and Marco Rubio joined GOP Rep. Brian Mast in a letter contending the compressed time-frame was far too quick to completely air the plans. Democratic Rep. Kathy Castor mentioned in a social media submit the concepts have been “outrageous” and rooted in insurance policies that “prioritize profits over our planet.”
Lots of of individuals confirmed up at weekend protests close to the 9 parks, a lot of them carrying indicators embellished with wildlife artwork produced by Tampa-based artist Veronica Steiner. She mentioned in an interview that safety of Florida’s parks transcends political and philosophical variations.
“I don’t think this is like a red or blue issue,” Steiner mentioned. “I think anybody that lives and has been raised in Florida should care about the land, and that should be politics aside. Everyone should try to protect their natural resources, period.”
It isn’t the primary time a Republican administration has raised the thought of leveraging extra income from state parks by offering golf, lodging, and different points of interest the place public lands are used for personal curiosity. However previous concepts have been rapidly dropped, together with one promoted by Scott when he was governor, after public opposition.
Including one other query to the DeSantis proposals is the involvement of the Tuskegee Dunes Basis, which mentioned in an earlier assertion the Dickinson park golf programs would “tell the story” of the Tuskegee Airmen, a pioneering Black unit in World Warfare II. Proceeds would go to a different group referred to as Folds of Honor that gives scholarships for the navy and to first responders.
The Tuskegee Dunes’ preliminary assertion mentioned the golf course venture would keep away from environmentally delicate components of the Dickinson park, referred to as house to the threatened scrub jay and different imperiled species. However then the opposition acquired more and more loud.
“We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location,” their current assertion mentioned. “We will not pursue building in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
Environmental teams say they may proceed to oppose growth on the parks.
“Florida has no shortage of places to swing a golf club, sample the continental breakfast, or try your hand at pickleball,” Audubon Florida mentioned in an announcement on its web site, “but increasingly rare are the opportunities to spot the deep blue feathers of a Florida scrub jay, witness the miracle of neotropical bird migration, or experience Florida in all its natural beauty.”
