The Not-So-Great Outdoors Initiative
By Lisa Hanley, Public Lands Chair
Sierra Club, Loxahatchee Group
The Great Outdoors Initiative started as an executive order, signed in October 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. It contained no mention of development inside Florida’s state parks, simply ordered that measures be taken to “encourage all Florida residents to participate in outdoor recreation.”
But on Aug. 19, 2024 a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) press release stated that the initiative would increase “campsites, cabins and lodges on park property” and “increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida's state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling.” Nine state parks were mentioned. Of particular concern to the Loxahatchee Group was the proposal to build three golf courses, clubhouse and amenities in Johnathan Dickinson State Park.
The press release announced that public workshops would be held a week later, in nine locations around the state, on the same date, at the same time. The venues had limited seating and were to be informational in nature, with no question and answer period. The response was immediate and overwhelming. Tens of thousands of individuals, every environmental group in the state and some public officials denounced the proposals. DEP was so inundated with complaints that the workshops were postponed until the week of September 2nd, after larger venues were found, in order to give everyone a chance to speak.
On August 27, hundreds of protesters gathered in Flagler Park, Stuart, to protest the Johnathan Dickinson State Park proposals. Protests were also held at the other eight locations.
In response to the outcry, the private group that had expressed interest in building the golf courses withdrew their offer, DEP announced that the plans for all the parks were withdrawn and Gov. DeSantis stated at a press conference that the plans for the improvements were off the table, “for this year.” That statement is crucial, we must stay on top of this issue and not let our guard down.
Please fill out the DEP survey. Let them know just how you feel about our State Parks and what their uses should be. https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative
