A new Florida bill would prevent golf courses, pickleball at state parks
A new Florida bill would prevent golf courses, pickleball at state parks
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection last year announced a plan that would have allowed developers to turn state parks into more touristy attractions.
The 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative outlined plans to construct pickleball courts, golfing and disc golf courses and resort-style lodging in at least eight state parks.
Public pushback put a relatively abrupt end to the plans, and now state lawmakers are trying to ensure similar proposals don't happen again.
Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, filed SB 80 last year in response the the Great Outdoors Initiative. The bill was backed by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday after it rejected a change that would have kept the door open for sports facilities, according to the News Service of Florida.
More: After distancing himself from golf course plan, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis blames 'left wing' narrative
Here's what to know about SB 80, known as the State Park Preservation Act and how it plans to protect Florida's state parks.
What is the State Park Preservation Act (SB 80)?
The State Park Preservation Act is a bill focused on the management and preservation of state lands. It is aimed specifically at conservation and recreational areas.
Under the bill's original proposal, it didn't ban the development but instead sought to put in the necessary curtails to protect each park's natural resources, native habitats and historical sites.
The state senate took some umbrage to the proposal, however, rejecting a change by Chairman Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that some parks supporters and lawmakers said would have kept the door open for sports facilities.
'The (Gruters) amendment, however, makes it muddy, leaving an ambiguous standard for what's allowed and, of course creates loopholes for bad ideas to be exploited,' said Beth Alvi, Audubon Florida's senior director of policy.
Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, encouraged Gruters to recraft the proposed change to allow 'soft' maintenance needs at state parks, but to eliminate any 'commercialization.'
While the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee passed the bill, it said more work is needed on the parks issue.
What will the State Park Preservation Act do?
The State Park Preservation Act, in its current form, is a 15-page bill that is aimed at directing state parks and preserves to be managed for conservation-based outdoor recreational uses, public access and scientific research.
In its summary, the Senate Fiscal Committee clarifies that 'conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses' do not include sporting facilities like golf courses, ball fields, pickleball and tennis courts or any other sport requiring such facilities.
Instead, the goal is to ensure any development for recreational uses minimizing impacts to undisturbed habitat while using disturbed upland regions to the maximum extend practicable.
The bill would allow the installation of certain camping cabins but within certain constraints.
Advisory groups and public input are a big part of the bill. Individual management plans for parcels over 160 acres and those located within state parks would require input from an advisory group and mandate public hearings and notices within a certain time frame.
How many state parks does Florida have?
Florida has one of the biggest park services in the country. It currently manages 175 state parks, which includes over 813,000 acres and 100 miles of beach.
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