DeSantis, Department of Environmental Protection Want to Build Pickleball, Golf Courses on State Parks

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Now that the state of Florida has purchased 260,000 acres of conservation land, most of which is located in Florida's Wildlife Corridor, the Department of Environmental Protection plans to turn some of that land into golf courses and pickleball courts.

Which land? Portions of nine state parks.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Jonathan Dickinson State Park in south-central Florida would have both its iconic Hobe Mountain observation tower, located on a protected scrub habitat, and the homes of park staff members removed. In return, the 74-year-old park would gain a golf course.

Anastasia State Park, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Oleta River State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, Dr. Von. D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, and Camp Helen State Park would undergo similar changes, with some trading golf courses for up to four pickleball courts, lodges with 350-room capacity, a disc golf course, or a glamping area.

DeSantis, a Republican Governor who has made a name for himself in his efforts to preserve, restore, and conserve natural land, has since come under fire for the DEP plan, which will be proposed on Aug. 27th at each state park. These plans are all part of the Gov.'s Great Outdoors Initiative, which was founded in 2023 to "conserve natural land" and boost tourism. Since then, the state bought 260,000 acres of conservation land through the initiative.

Meanwhile, protesters showed up at Jonathan Dickinson State Park to voice their discontent while the initial Times story received over 156K impressions on X—the majority of which are negative toward both DeSantis and the DEP. Even some high-ranking Republican officials have spoken out against the proposals.

"I stand in strong opposition to the proposed expansion of state parks to include golf courses and associated facilities in our state parks," wrote Sen. Jay Trumbull, endorsed by DeSantis during his 2022 campaign, on X. "I urge my fellow lawmakers and citizens to join me in protecting these parks from unnecessary development and ensuring that our natural heritage is preserved for all to enjoy."

"Public lands should be enjoyed and protected,” said Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson on X. “We have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure in state parks.”

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis agreed, calling the plan a "slippery slope".