This week, the public learned from several sources including environmental organizations of what has been until now, a quiet plan that proposes and fast tracks commercial development of portions of nine state parks in Florida. In a leaked memo, plans to expedite development of golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more were exposed. The memo was exposed in part HERE by Florida Wildlife Federation. According to their website:
“This leaked memo was backed up by swift and fluffy press release from the FDEP with barely a mention of this and then a rapid scheduling of public meetings with little notice.”
Here is the timeline of the events that took place:
Thursday, August 15th: A draft unit management plan amendment for Jonathan Dickinson State Park is leaked and distributed widely.
Monday, August 19th: A leaked memo indicating the Jonathan Dickinson State Park changes are not isolated. There are nine state parks vulnerable to mis-guided directives from the Governor’s office.
Monday, August 19th: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) releases the 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative under the direction of the Governor’s office.
Tuesday, August 20th: FDEP announces public meetings throughout the state to present unit management plan amendments (changes to the state parks).
Tuesday, August 20th at 10pm: FDEP releases draft unit management plan amendments and meeting information for all nine state parks.
Tuesday, August 27th: Eight public meetings are scheduled throughout the state to propose nine unit management plan amendments. The public meetings are scheduled for 3 pm – 4pm. 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.
"With less than a week’s notice and last minute information for the meetings, these proposals were meant to be fast-tracked with minimal public input."
If it sounds like too little to late you’re not alone. The reaction on social media has been ubiquitous and decidedly sour. There are nine parks on the bulldozing radar and one of those facing the most egregious threat to at least a thousand acres is right here on the Treasure Coast.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Hobe Sound (Martin County)
Proposed changes:
Two 18-hole golf courses
One 9-hole golf course
Removal of the Hobe Sound Observation Tower
The other 8 parks included in the proposed amendment would sacrifice lands for a variety of developments including hotels, cabins, pickleball courts, and disc golf courses.
They include:
Anastasia State Park (St. Johns County)
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County)
Camp Helen State Park (Bay County)
Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County)
Hillsborough River State Park (Hillsborough County)
Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County)
Dr. Von Mizell – Eula Johnson State Park (Broward County)
Oleta River State Park (Miami-Dade County)
The public meeting will be held Aug. 27 by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Aug. 27 from 3-4 at The Flagler of Stuart - 201 SW Flagler Ave, River Room, Stuart, FL 34994. You can learn more about the public notice and meeting HERE as well.
If you can’t attend the meeting you can also voice your concerns and opposition HERE.
Florida's environment is stunningly diverse but it is equally fragile. We at the Almanac are happy to share this information because we believe it affects everyone. There are plenty of golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts etc. around the state and the Treasure Coast. We do not need development that encroaches upon precious public lands and destroys natural habitats for these kinds of "amenities."
*Graphic courtesy of Florida Wildlife Federation