The Florida Department of Environmental Protection postponed public meetings on its “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which proposes developments in nine state parks, following widespread backlash from environmentalists and bipartisan political figures.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) postponed public meetings on Friday regarding its “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which proposes developments in nine state parks. The delay, likely pushing the meetings to the week of Sept. 2, follows widespread public backlash from environmentalists and bipartisan political figures concerned about the potential impact on the state’s protected lands.
“Due to the overwhelming interest in the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is seeking new venues to accommodate the public,” the agency posted on X. “We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making.”
The initiative, which includes proposed hotel, golf course, and pickleball court constructions at sites statewide including Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Hillsborough River State Park, was met with significant opposition.
One of the most high-profile voices, Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, expressed her opposition to the development plans on Thursday, joining a growing number of Republican lawmakers in challenging the proposal reportedly driven by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration. In a post on X, Passidomo contended that efforts to improve state parks should prioritize preserving natural habitats and promoting passive recreational activities like hiking and canoeing, rather than constructing facilities such as golf courses and hotels
“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels,” Passidomo said. “In my view, these are not in line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature. I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson also urged caution, emphasizing the need for careful consideration of infrastructure projects in state parks.
“Public lands should be enjoyed and protected. We have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure in state parks,” Simpson said on X. Other GOP lawmakers, including Sen. Jay Trumbull, also expressed opposition to the development efforts, adding “Our state parks should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities,” Trumbull said. “Our state parks are a treasure, and they should remain focused on their primary mission: offering a refuge for those who seek to experience Florida’s natural beauty in its purest form.”
Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times, who first broke the story, also reported that Eric Draper, a former director of Florida’s state parks, alleged that the DEP bypassed standard procedures in drafting its proposal by not involving key stakeholders, such as park volunteers and citizen support organizations. Draper suggested that the DEP may have circumvented the usual steps of convening a citizens advisory committee and holding public hearings, which are designed to ensure public participation.