DEP Postpones Meetings to Add High-Impact Amenities to Florida’s State Parks

Last week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) unveiled its plans for high-intensity developments in nine of Florida’s beloved natural state parks — including golf courses, multiple 350-room lodges, pickleball courts, and disc-golf courses.

After a large outpouring of concern, the DEP announced on X (Twitter) on Friday that the planned public hearings are postponed while they search for larger-capacity venues. The meetings are expected to take place sometime next week.

In addition, the foundation behind the proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, has confirmed on its website that it is dropping plans to develop golf courses at that particular park location. However, that does not mean the plan is completely off the table.

Thank you to all the state leaders and legislators who have spoken out against the plan, and to the thousands who have already filed their concerns with their representatives, the DEP, and the Governor’s office through SCCF’s action alert or those of our conservation partners. 

While it’s good news that plans for multiple golf courses in one of the impacted parks has changed, it appears that the state is moving forward with many components of the development plans, regardless of the overwhelming opposition raised to date.

Our public engagement is making a difference, but we need to keep the pressure on until this plan is abandoned for good. 

The DEP has posted a comment webpage where you can speak out against this ill-conceived plan.   

SUBMIT COMMENTS TO THE DEP >>

SCCF’S Concerns with the Proposed Projects

• Development of natural areas in the state parks will lead to an irreplaceable loss of unspoiled, environmentally sensitive habitat cherished by residents and tourists alike.
• The state park lands targeted for development would impact water quality, increase noise and light pollution, increase beach erosion, and add more parking lots and other impervious surfaces in habitat that currently contains state and federally protected species.
• This parks plan would set a terrible precedent for additional high-impact development in all state parks.
• The manner in which these plans were presented to the public establish a dangerous precedent that cuts public participation out of management decisions for our public lands.
• Development of public sports infrastructure in our state parks would compete with the private sector providing those same facilities.
• Loss of pristine natural areas in our state parks would negatively impact tourism and threaten the revenue and jobs relied upon by thousands of Floridians.

Sign SCCF’s action alert to let Gov. DeSantis, DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton, and our Southwest Florida Legislative Delegation know that you oppose plans for intensive development anywhere in our natural state park system

TAKE ACTION NOW >>

Call Gov. DeSantis: 850-717-9337
Call DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton: 850-245-2118

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