MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Plans to develop hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts in at least nine Florida state parks have been put on hold after facing significant public and political backlash.
The decision comes after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced its “Great Outdoors Initiative” last week, proposing new campsites, cabins, a hotel, golf courses and pickleball courts across nine state parks, including Oleta River State Park and Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Dania Beach.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, speaking publicly for the first time about the controversy at a press conference in Winter Haven Wednesday, distanced himself from the proposals, stating they were not approved by him and were released prematurely.
“I’d rather not spend any money on this,” said DeSantis. “If people don’t want improvements, then don’t do it.”
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The decision follows days of protests from the public, environmentalists, and politicians from both parties.
Maggie Winchester-Weiler is the program manager for Florida’s Ocean Conservancy program.
“I am absolutely breathing a sigh of relief,” said Winchiester-Weiler. “Its great to hear those plans have been tabled for now. Those mangrove ecosystems are incredibly fragile and that type of disruption is going to have an impact on those types of ecosystems and the animals and wildlife that depend on them.”
Nikki Fried, chair of the Florida Democratic Party, criticized the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s plan, calling it “ridiculous” and shared the bipartisan opposition to overdevelopment in the state’s parks.
“Floridians of all political opinions can agree on one thing: we have to protect our state’s natural beauty from overdevelopment,” Fried said.
DeSantis confirmed at Wednesday’s press conference that the proposal’s creators will revisit the plans, emphasizing the need for public input.
“They’re not doing anything this year — they’re gonna go back and basically listen to folks,” he said, acknowledging the plans were “half-baked” and “not ready for prime time.”