Ron DeSantis announces plan to build golf courses, pickleball courts at nine Florida state parks

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis hit the bottom working after he dropped out of the U.S. Presidential race in January. Earlier this summer time, his administration’s 2024–25 “Give attention to Florida’s Future” finances was handed. It slashed taxes and made enormous investments that went in direction of “supporting regulation and order,” amongst different “freedom first” coverage selections. Now, DeSantis and the Florida Division of Environmental Safety (EPA) are coming after the state’s treasured parks, a lot to the chagrin of environmentalists and his citizens extra broadly. 

The Nice Open air Initiative is the DeSantis cupboard’s imaginative and prescient for brand new leisure actions in 9 Florida state parks. This plan, in line with a press assertion from the Florida EPA, is about “reinforcing the state’s dedication to conservation, the outside recreation financial system and a top quality of life for Floridians.” 

Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for the Florida Governor’s workplace, referred to as the plan an “thrilling new initiative.” Griffin mentioned that “everybody ought to have the ability to take pleasure in Florida’s pure treasures with out lengthy waits or cramped campsites.” Different Floridians don’t see it that method, and the Nice Open air Initiative is dealing with stiff backlash.

The Florida Park Service, and the general public extra broadly, had been caught abruptly when the plan was introduced; these teams had been by no means consulted. Florida already has greater than 1,250 golf programs, and 770 pickleball courts. Does it really want extra?

“Commodifying and growing our public lands”

The Florida Park Service oversees 815,000 acres of state park space, and 100 miles of shoreline. Since 2019, beneath DeSantis’s administration, Florida’s state park acreage has elevated by 20 %. In the previous couple of years, the Florida Park Service has acquired 260,000 extra acres of park space inside Florida’s Wildlife Hall. 

Underneath the Nice Open air Initiative, vital parts of Anastasia, Camp Helen, Dr. Von. D Mizell Eula Johnson, Grayton Seaside, Hillsborough River, Honeymoon Island, Jonathan Dickinson, Topsail Hill Protect, and Oleta River State Parks can be opened up for brand new improvement. In these 9 state parks, DeSantis wish to construct pickleball courts, 18-hole golf programs, disc golf programs, cabins, and 350-bed lodges for “glamping alternatives.”

Whereas DeSantis’s Nice Open air Initiative does embrace new mountain climbing and biking trails, it’s been met with anger and confusion. Protesters have gathered at Jonathan Dickinson State Park holding indicators that say “STOP THE GOLF COURSES.” Audubon Florida Govt Director Julie Wraithmell was fast to react; she mentioned constructing golf programs “at treasures like Jonathan Dickinson and pickleball courts at Honeymoon Island can be travesties.” 

Florida Springs Council attacked DeSantis’s imaginative and prescient for “commodifying and growing our public lands.” In flip, the Florida EPA began fielding issues and questions on X to make clear specifics about what the Nice Open air Initiative entails. It mentioned within the publish “We love The Actual Florida as a lot as you do, so we need to clear some issues up.”

Eric Draper, former director of the Florida Park Service between 2017 and 2021, mentioned the Nice Open air Initiative’s planning course of has been opaque, and could also be unlawful. “This looks like a course of that’s intentionally supposed to keep away from public participation,” Draper just lately advised an area reporter.

“This seems to be one thing that has been deliberate in secret,” Draper continued, “and it doesn’t seem to have concerned the tons of, if not hundreds, of people who find themselves volunteers within the parks, the citizen assist organizations, or the many individuals who’ve been concerned in serving to to create and develop Florida’s award-winning park system.”

Privatizing the Commons?

The concept to construct golf programs at Florida state parks isn’t far-fetched. The idea was first floated in 2011 by skilled golfer Jack Nicklaus. That yr, Nicklaus courted then-Florida Governor Rick Scott to construct new (non-public) golf programs and accommodations in a number of state parks. 

Nicklaus’s golf course structure studio, Nicklaus Design, had efficiently constructed non-public golf programs at state parks in Alabama, and Nicklaus wished to construct extra non-public golf programs atop Florida state parks, albeit “in an environmentally delicate method.” 

The concept didn’t achieve traction and was swiftly tabled. Now, over a decade later, DeSantis’s administration appears eager on reviving it. In the present day, there’s substantial bipartisan opposition to the Nice Open air Initiative nonetheless. Florida State Senators Jason Pizzo and Kathleen Passidomo have already come out towards it. 

Rumors are circulating that the Nicklaus household could once more be behind this newest effort to construct golf programs at Florida state parks. Gary Nicklaus, Jack’s son who can be a board member on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Fee, has since denied these rumors. 

“I’m fairly aggravated with all people desirous to tar and feather me with none details,” Gary Nicklaus just lately advised an area reporter. The Nicklaus household is predicted to concern a public assertion denying its involvement within the Nice Open air Initiative.

A upcoming data session will give the general public a possibility to weigh in.