Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign into law a bill passed this session to protect Florida’s 175 state parks from development such as golf courses, pickleball and tennis courts, and luxury lodges.
DeSantis spoke May 7 at a roundtable in Tampa about tax relief, answering a question about his stand on the bill. The House webpage for the bill (HB 209) shows that it has not yet been sent to the governor’s desk.
Lawmakers were quick to applaud the governor’s support. The Florida Parks System is the nation’s only four-time winner of the gold medal of excellence award by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA).
“These are precious natural resources preserving the epitome of real Florida across our state. I am delighted and grateful that Gov. DeSantis will support this legislation,” said Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee, and a member of the Florida Parks Foundation Board of Directors.
The announcement marks a turnaround from a contentious plan the DeSantis administration announced last summer called the Great Outdoors Initiative.
The initiative, as revealed by the Tampa Bay Times, included plans for recreational facilities or hotels at more than 20 state parks in all regions of the state. Critics quickly likened it to “paving over paradise.”
But the Legislature, with unanimous votes in both chambers, approved a bill to focus park management on conservation and passive recreation, like hiking, birding, and camping activities that leave the land mostly undisturbed.
Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando and a cosponsor of the bill, said the bill’s bipartisan support sent a clear message.
“Our state parks are not for sale or for profiteering. Florida’s parks must be protected from those who wish to pave over their natural beauty. It is unfortunate that this legislation was even needed,” Smith said.
The administration’s plan was shelved in the face of statewide opposition from local, state and federal elected officials. Two Stuart Republicans, Sen. Gayle Harrell and Rep. John Snyder, took the lead in writing legislation to prohibit construction of sports facilities and hotels, named the State Park Preservation Act.
Before a mid-April committee meeting, Harrell explained that the challenge was to preserve the parks “for what they originally were intended for,” with a bill that “clearly defines conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses,” and with language everyone could agree to.
“This is democracy at work,” Harrell said.
This story, which contains previously published material, is developing and may be updated. Check back later for more.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Gov. DeSantis says he’ll sign state parks protection bill
Reporting by Jim Rosica, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
