Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposing major changes to various State Parks throughout Florida

[Teresa]

Florida Wildlife Federation post today.

BREAKING: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced an initiative yesterday proposing major changes to various State Parks throughout Florida.

Today, with only one week notice, FDEP announced public meetings throughout the state scheduled for 3pm on Tuesday, August 27th. The meetings will consist of a presentation and opportunity for public comment, but with only an hour allotted they do not appear to include a question-and-answer period.

The proposed changes are thought to include golf courses, pickleball courts, and resort-style hotels. These proposed changes are in direct conflict with state law guiding the Division of Recreation and Parks (FS 258.037).

Swipe through to see if your state park will be affected and when and where the public meeting will take place.

While we all want to enjoy our beautiful parks, adding large-scale developments to these treasured spaces can have a serious impact on the very natural resources that make them special.

Let’s protect what makes our natural spaces extraordinary. Stay tuned for more information on how you can help save our parks.

Can’t make it to the meeting? Click the link to make your voice heard: Action: State Parks Threat • Florida Wildlife Federation

 

[Lake View Too]

The most disgusting thing, so far, coming out of the DeSantis camp. We must defend the essence of Florida, the undisturbed natural beauty of its majestic wilderness.

 

[Teresa]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 19, 2024​ CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov​ DEP Announces 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative to Increase Public Access, Recreation and Lodging at Florida State Parks​ ~ Ensures Florida’s conservation lands can be enjoyed by Floridians today and tomorrow ~ ​ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the launch of its 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative. The initiative will work to expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options across Florida's state parks—reinforcing the state’s dedication to conservation, the outdoor recreation economy and a high quality of life for Floridians. The Florida Park Service, established in 1935 to bolster the state’s growing tourism sector and manage its historic sites and conservation lands, remains a national leader in public land stewardship. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, Florida’s 175 state parks attracted nearly 30 million visitors, contributing to an annual economic impact of $3.6 billion and supporting more than 50,000 jobs. Florida's broader outdoor recreation economy continues to thrive, generating over $52 billion in economic output and supporting more than 460,000 jobs in 2022 alone—a 20% increase in economic output and an 11% rise in employment compared to the previous year. Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has significantly increased its investment in conserving its natural landscapes, acquiring over 260,000 acres, the majority of which are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This cumulative investment represents nearly 20% of the total acres of lands currently part of the Florida State Park System. In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling. Since 2019, Florida has invested over $400 million to support the operation and maintenance of existing park infrastructure. Through this initiative, DEP will begin to update state park plans to allow for increased public access, while employing the same best practices utilized by DEP and park systems across the country, ensuring all improvements are welcoming and reflective of Florida’s heritage, are complimentary of and work with park-specific resources, are compatible and fitting within surrounding landscapes, and provide efficient amenities that visitors expect. Today’s announcement reinforces the DeSantis Administration’s record support for conserving our natural landscapes and commitment to ensuring every Floridian can visit and recreate at Florida’s state parks. This includes the 2023-24 Great Outdoors Initiative, which offered 50% discounts for Florida State Parks annual passes and Florida’s Freedom Summer Kickoff on Memorial Day, which provided all Floridians free entry into state parks. Celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2025, the Florida Park Service, the first to win the prestigious Gold Medal Award four times for excellence, is one of the nation’s largest park systems, comprising 175 state parks, trails and historic sites across more than 815,000 acres and 100 miles of pristine coastline. To find a state park near you, visit FloridaStateParks.org.​

 

[Matt J]

There has been a slow commercialization of the state parks for years now. This is because people wanted the state run like a business and this is considered a huge drain on the budget.

There has been talk for quite some time about cabins at Camp Helen and if their in line with other state park cabins that's fine, they shouldn't be subcontracted luxury suites.

The additional cabins at Grayton and the bathroom are good, this would all be in the cabin area which is west of Grayton proper. Again, the cabins should be modest.

The "lodge" is a hard no and according to our LDC/Comp Plan it's a no go as hotels/motels are restricted to less than 100 or 125 rooms, I can't remember which. The state has to go through and abide by the code like anyone else.

The pickleball crap is just to lure in boomers that would sell their grandkids for one more game. Politicians used shuffleboard courts to get anything they wanted back in the day, almost every state park had at least one court and they where usually exorbitantly expensive to install if you catch my drift.

I forgot to point out where two of the meetings are being held, on private property, and JOE no less....

 

[Teresa]

DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (CT)

PLACE: Watercolor Inn & Resort, 34 Goldenrod Circle Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, The Lakehouse.

PROPOSAL:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County):
- A park lodge with up to 350 rooms
- A disc golf course in the scrubby flatwoods south of the cabin area
- Pickleball courts

Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County):
- A new restroom at the beach access area near the cabins
- 10 new cabins
- A disc golf course
- Pickleball courts

Camp Helen State Park (Bay County):
- New cabins and glamping

 

[conch]

The locations of the meetings is just the tip of the iceberg.
WHO do you think would be building and operating a 350 room
“LODGE”?
I think the area has plenty of existing lodging {and more coming online every day} for people to stay in while they visit 30A and its great state parks.
As for the addition of "sports venues”, P.B. courts will require
hard infastructure, concrete, electric, lighting etc.
Not exactly being one with nature. How about they add more courts to the existing county sports complex instead?
The disc golf venues are OK with me, as they offer minimal intrusion into nature, and at the same time get folks out INTO nature, which is the primary reason for having state parks.

 

[UpNorth]

This definitely seems to be wading into territory that can be abused.

On the plus side, despite the fact that surely the Stone Agers and No Developmenters will detest “commercialization” of state lands, public/private partnerships tend to produce better economic results at less cost to taxpayers, and if they can fancy up a few areas within the hundreds or thousands of preserved acres to attract more people, I think that’s great.

The downside is, doesn’t this open the door to future projects which can be done subjectively and perhaps less tastefully in terms of the general public? The main thing is there has to be a public benefit. If we re gonna see a hotel put up with $600 a night rooms I don’t see how that does the general public any good. At that point it would basically just be a convoluted land giveaway. If we’re going to have family friendly lodging options with $79 rates and $50 golf, that would be great and surely open up quite a bit for people whom wish to enjoy these places.

 

[bob bob]

I'm against pretty much anything coming from DeSantis.

 

[Jimmy T]

FDEP = Florida Department of Environmental Pollution.

 

[pmd8]

One week notice, having two separate meeting sites for Topsail and Camp Helen and for Tampa area parks...

Could they be any more transparent about their contempt for the public?

I'm going to do my best to get to both meetings, but the Topsail and Camp Helen meeting sites are 40 minutes apart.

A 350-room lodge at Topsail is ridiculous. Any lodge is ridiculous.

Although not quite as ridiculous as 3 golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Stuart. It would destroy hundreds of acres of scrub habitat.