Facing a ferocious public backlash, Gov. Ron DeSantis has pulled plans to develop state parks — including the one on Anastasia Island — with golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts.
“They’re going back to the drawing board,” he said Wednesday in a press conference in Polk County. “I’d rather not spend any money on this. If people don’t want improvements then we won’t do them.”
DeSantis said he will gather more public input on the project before a revival and that public hearings will restart next year.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Great Outdoors Initiative” had sought to increase public access to and engagement with nine state parks across Florida through various developments.
Anastasia State Park was tapped to host a new 350-room hotel, four new pickleball courts and a disc golf course, according to FDEC draft proposals.
But the announcement created an avalanche of bipartisan opposition, as residents ripped the proposal as a largely money-making venture that would spoil the natural beauty of the Sunshine State’s parks.
Opponents mobilized both online and in person to fight the project in recent days, with protesters massing at Anastasia Island this past Sunday to voice their displeasure.
Both the St. Johns County Board and St. Augustine City Commission said they were never given advance notice of the proposals.
The Florida Times-Union reported that the Florida DEP had planned to play pre-recorded presentations and not take any questions during public hearings that have since been scrapped.
2 Responses
I am so thankful that we came together as a state & stood up for our parks! I personally go to one of our beautiful state parks 2-3 times a week, always going to a different location. I love how accessible the parks are and that you have so many options.
My pups enjoy them even more than I do.
Thank you Governor for listening to the concerns and stopping any further destruction of our beautiful states wildlife and waterways.
Plant trees in places where you were going to build hotels !