On Monday, August 19, 2024, Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) unveiled a proposal entitled the "2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative" which will impact numerous State Parks throughout Florida.
According to the DEP, this proposal intends to expand public engagement in the parks and offer more lodging to park visitors. If it comes to fruition, the initiative could lead to adding activities such as pickleball, golf and disc golf courses, lodging and resorts and other additions within the following 9 parks:
- Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County)
- Hillsborough River State Park (Hillsborough County)
- Oleta River State Park (Miami-Dade County)
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Broward County)
- Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park (Broward County)
- Anastasia State Park (St. Johns County)
- Camp Helen State Park (Bay County)
- Topsail Hill Preserve (Walton County)
- Grayson Beach State Park (Walton County)
Audubon Florida and many Florida conservation organizations have spoken out strongly against this initiative, urging the protection of Florida's parks for wildlife, water, and land conservation and enjoying Florida's natural beauty.
We ask you to ACT NOW to inform the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Gov. Ron DeSantis that you do not support the proposed changes to our state parks.
Thank you for speaking up on behalf of our state park lands!
