Who runs Florida State Parks? What we know about the DEP proposal for golf courses, hotels (2024)

This week The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced a proposal to further develop state parks, adding pickleball courts, golf courses and other recreational activity spaces and lodging.

And it sparked immediate and aggressive backlash from environmental groups, Florida lawmakers, social media users and Floridians across the state.

The initiative says it aims to “expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options across Florida's state parks.” But those who oppose the proposal say that unnecessary development at Florida’s state parks would compromise preservation of the state’s “natural heritage.”

“Our state parks should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities,” Florida State Senator Jay Trumbull Jr. tweeted on Thursday, August 22.

Here’s everything you need to know about the DEP’s proposal, which state parks are being targeted, what local lawmakers have to say about the proposal, how residents are responding and how the DEP responded to the backlash on social media.

Who is in charge of the state parks in Florida?

The entity responsible for the proposal, the Department of Environmental Protection, or DEP, oversees Florida’s state parks.

“DEP manages 175 state parks, trails and historic sites as part of its award-winning Florida State Parks system. Through its Florida Coastal Office, DEP also manages 41 aquatic preserves, and along with NOAA, three national estuarine research reserves and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary,” the DEP’s website says.

What is the new proposal for Florida’s state parks? Which state parks are affected?

The DEP’s announcement of the proposal, which is a part of the “2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative,” didn’t specify which parks it wants to develop. But it was clear that pickleball courts and golf courses are on the table for some of Florida’s state parks.

“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,” the DEP’s announcement said.

“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.”

Although the proposal didn’t include exactly which parks the DEP is aiming to bring pickleball courts or golf courses to, “a single-sheet plan with maps specifying two 18-hole golf courses and one nine-hole golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park (in Martin County) was obtained by environmental groups,” TCPalm reported.

According to a post on X, formerly Twitter, from Florida’s District 2 State Senator Jay Trumbull Jr., Camp Helen, Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Parks in Florida’s panhandle are also targeted in the proposal.

“Today, I stand in strong opposition to the proposed expansion of state parks to include golf courses and associated facilities in our state parks,” Trumbull said in his post. “Particularly in Camp Helen, Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Parks, which have been targeted in the initial expansion and hold a place of enormous importance to our district.”

How are Florida residents responding to the proposal to put golf courses, pickleball courts in state parks?

The proposal was met with waves of outrage from Florida residents across the state, GOP lawmakers, environmental groups and social media alike. But the most immediate and overwhelming response came from the revelation that the DEP hopes to put golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

On Wednesday, two days after the DEP announced the proposal, more than 100 people from a Facebook group (that was created the same day of the DEP’s announcement) showed up to the state park in Martin County to demonstrate their opposition to the DEP’s proposal.

“The Protect Jonathan Dickinson State Park Facebook Group mobilized over 100 people who demonstrated at the park Wednesday, with dozens of cars clogging the roads trying to attend,” TCPalm reported.

“The group has gained over 25,000 followers since it was created Monday by Jessica Namath, a former Tequesta Environmental Advisory Committee member.”

Several Martin County leaders have publicly opposed the proposal this week. Recently elected Martin County Commissioner Blake Capps even called the proposal “a terrible idea” and said he was “looking forward to strongly opposing this.”

Martin County Sheriff William Snyder said that it “bodes badly” for Martin County and believes it will displace more wildlife and increase crime and car crashes.

According to TCPalm's reporting, “Environmental nonprofits, including Audubon of Martin County and the Florida Wildlife Federation, have gathered thousands of petition signatures and announced plans to pack a public meeting about the issue in Stuart Tuesday.”

When it came to Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin, where pickleball courts and a disc golf course are proposed, Rep. Adam Anderson of Palm Harbor issued a statement, the Tallahassee Democrat reported.

“These acts could aggravate ongoing environmental challenges, harm our vulnerable coastlines and estuaries, and increase the likelihood of red tide events along the Gulf (of Mexico),” Anderson said in the statement.

The Florida DEP offers clarification following Florida state parks upset

Following Florida residents’ and lawmakers’ reactions, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection posted a “fact check” thread on X to “clear some things up…” This thread gave more insight into which parks are being targeted in the proposal.

Here’s what each Tweet in the DEP’s X thread says. The names of each state park mentioned are in bold, although they weren't in the original posts.:

Overnight visitation is ALWAYS in high demand at @FLStateParks. At Anastasia State Park, we're looking for opportunities to provide more overnight accommodations, similar to the popular Wakulla Springs Lodge & other lodges at National Parks.
Contrary to its name, Camp Helen State Park doesn't currently offer ANY overnight accommodations. We're contemplating adding cabins & glamping sites in low impact areas to offer visitors another place to stay along the Emerald Coast.
Dr. Von. D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is in the heart of one of Florida's busiest regions. Converting an underutilized paved area to pickleball courts will benefit both locals & out-of-town visitors.
Our cabins among the iconic dunes at Grayton Beach State Park are consistently booked - this proposal would expand overnight access with additional cabins while increasing recreational opportunities with pickleball.
At Hillsborough River State Park, efforts are underway to enhance the park's facilities, including adding pickleball courts & a disc golf course.
Pickleball continues to be the fastest growing sport in the U.S., so why not add it to one of our most visited parks? The area near the South Beach Access at Honeymoon Island State Park is already modified and can be easily converted to pickleball courts.
At Jonathan Dickinson State Park, we are considering the addition of golf — one of our nation's most popular sports — in a way that will minimize habitat impacts and leverage already-disturbed areas.
Oleta River State Park is Florida's largest urban park. We're keeping up with increasing demand by adding additional cabins, pickleball courts and disc golf courses.
At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, we're planning to take the visitor experience to the next level with additions like a lodge, pickleball and disc golf.
Our efforts to enhance public access, recreation and accommodations are for EVERYONE. The public's input is welcomed and always valued. Learn more about these proposals and how to submit comments: https://floridadep.gov.