01-05-2025
Legislature approves bill to prevent development at Florida state parks
A citizen protesting proposed plan for state parks at Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin on August 27, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)
A day after the Senate unanimously approved a proposal to prevent development in state parks, the House followed with a similar unanimous vote on Thursday, sending the bill to the governor in a big win for environmentalists and all those who enjoy recreating in any of the 175 state parks in Florida.
The measure (HB 209) makes a number of changes to state law to prevent what happened last August — that's when a former Department of Environmental Protection employee leaked to the Tampa Bay Times information about the state's plan to build golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more at nine state parks.
That led to an uproar from citizens up and down Florida, with protests taking place outside those state parks, leading state officials to drop the plan.
The measure voted on by lawmakers on Thursday prohibits construction of specified sporting facilities and public lodgings in state parks, such as golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and ball fields.
The Florida chapter of the Sierra the unanimous votes in both chambers.
'Since last summer, Sierra Club Florida and its members have been on the front lines fighting to keep development out of our state parks,' said Javier Estevez, the Sierra Club's Florida political and legislative director.
'From rallies and protests, to delegation meetings, district visits, our State Park Love Fests, and Lobby Day — we made our voices impossible to ignore. The Florida Legislature heard us loud and clear. And today, we can proudly say: WE WON!'
'It's a great bill to take back home and let the people know that we put real plans in place to make sure that, for generations to come, our state parks will be preserved,' said Southeast Republican Rep. John Snyder, co-sponsor of the House bill. 'They will be protected. They will be here for millions of Floridians and visitors from around the world to come and enjoy.'
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