After Government Manager Ron Desantis suggested golf courses, pickleball courts and other recreational opportunities for Florida State Park’s last summer, the Florida house voted against the plan.
The vote was 115-0 for the measure on Wednesday, which is now going to the Senate, where a similar bill moves through committees.
Supporters said public reaction and protests last year against what Desantis called Great Outdoor’s Initiative, was a key factor in the governor’s subsequent decision to pay tribute to it.
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Protesters sang against head of government Ron Desantis’ plan to develop state parks with business companies such as golf courses, pickleball courts and large hotels during a demonstration in Oleta River State Park 27 August 2024 in North Miami Beach, FLA. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
“I think we were all shocked to hear what they would do with our precious state parks,” Rep said. Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, via WUSF. “This is in direct response to this plan and in direct answers to what our voters wanted us to do.”
“The public scream, you could probably hear it all the way up to the moon or Mars,” Rep said. Lindsay Cross, a Democrat from Skt. Petersburg, who participated in some protests. The bill she added, will “make sure our wild Florida stays wild.”
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis speaks to media members after an event July 27, 2023 in Chariton, Iowa. (Sergio Flores to Washington Post via Getty Images)
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The development would still be allowed in the parks, but all projects must be “conservation -based recreational uses” that support activities such as hiking, swimming, riding, sailing and nature study, according to a house loss analysis.
“Any use or construction activity must be carried out in a way that avoids influences on a state park’s critical habitats and natural and historic resources,” the analysis added.
Desantis’ Department of Environmental Protection suggested the plans last summer, but opponents protested and many plans were scrapped. Shortly after the proposal, Desantis went back the track and said the plans were “back to the drawing board.”
Florida Gov. Ron Desantis (Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
“Our state parks are precious,” said democratic state representative Allison Tant. “We have our state parks that represent the real Florida.”
