Florida House votes to stop pickleball courts, hotels from being built in state parks
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — A bill aiming to protect Florida's state parks from overdevelopment was unanimously passed Wednesday by the state House.
The measure received wide support from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in a 113-0 vote, according to a release from Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman's office.
Egmont Key State Park reopens after months of recovery from hurricanes
Gossett-Seidman was among the sponsors who helped craft House Bill 209 in response to overwhelming public outcry last summer against leaked plans to develop pickleball courts, golf courses, and luxury lodges at some of the state's most visited marks.
The news sparked protests across the state, with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) later withdrawing the proposals at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Lawmakers hope House Bill 209 will prevent anything of the sort from happening again by placing 'commonsense' limits on certain commercial projects that could potentially threaten native wildlife and ecosystems.
The mission is also a personal one for Gossett-Seidman, a Republican who represents District 19. She fondly recalled childhood memories of visiting Jonathan Dickinson State Park, one of the nine parks that was potentially under threat of overdevelopment.
'With my family years ago, we had to throw marshmallows to a large gator always lingering near the canoe livery in order to pass,' Gossett-Seidman said. 'His name was Marshmallow, though this activity would be deemed unlawful now.'
Gossett-Seidman and co-sponsor Representatives John Snyder worked with state agencies and environmental organizations to guide the legislation. Now it will go to the Senate, where a similar bill has cleared two committees so far.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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