Golfing, pickleball courts proposed at Florida state parks under Great Outdoors Initiative
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Pickleball courts, golfing and disc golf courses and more lodging could soon be coming to at least eight Florida state parks, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The state DEP announced the launch of its 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative, which proposes to expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options across the Sunshine State’s parks.
The news released, published Monday, was light on details and mostly focused on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ investments in conserving the state’s natural landscapes. Details found in public meeting agendas scheduled to take place Tuesday show proposals for at least eight state parks scattered from South Florida to the Panhandle.
Are golf courses and pickleball courts coming to Florida state parks? Here’s what to know.
Which Florida state parks would be impacted?
Details on which Florida state parks these changes would impact were nearly nonexistent in the news release, but a look at the FDEP’s public notices calendar lists meetings at eight state parks set for Tuesday. Those eight parks include:
Proposed public golfing area at Jonathan Dickinson State Park
According to the FDEP agenda for Jonathan Dickinson State Park, officials want to leverage existing improved lands and adjacent uplands to construct public golf courses and associated facilities.
The proposed improvements include two separate outdoor recreation spaces, one alongside the existing Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) Corridor extending to U.S. Highway 1 and another within the northeastern portion of the park.
Proposed pickleball courts at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
The FDEP has proposed the design and construction of up to four pickleball courts at the Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. According to the agenda, the courts would be constructed within the Northend Beach Access area where they would be easily accessible and convenient to supporting facilities.
Disc golf course, pickleball courts proposed at Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park has two proposals: Construction of up to four pickleball courts and a potential disc golf course.
The pickleball courts would be constructed within or immediately adjacent to the existing space of the swimming pool and bathhouse complex, within reasonable proximity to day-use and overnight visitors.
The disc golf course is recommended to be constructed within the mesic hammock south of the swimming pool complex and should offer scenic pathways through that part of the park.
Additional cabins or glamping, pickleball courts and disc golf course proposed at Oleta River State Park
The Florida DEP is proposing an expansion of Oleta River State Park’s cabin area by up to 10 cabins in the space directly south of the existing ones. An alternative proposal to include “glamping” sites was also made to increase and diversify opportunities.
Up to four pickleball courts have also been proposed in the open space on the north side of the concession building and outdoor center.
Finally, a disc golf course was proposed in the northern day-use area of the park, located southwest of the entrance station. Australian pines originally existed in this part of the park but have been removed, according to the agenda. The disc golf course would require a restroom and additional parking spaces.
Pickleball courts proposed at Honeymoon Island State Park
The construction of up to four pickleball courts has been proposed at Honeymoon Island State Park. The recommended site is adjacent to the upper portion of the park’s South Beach Access area where existing amenities and plenty of parking space complement and support the proposal.
Camp lodge, pickleball courts and disc golf course proposed at Anastasia State Park
The DEP has proposed the development of a park lodge with a capacity of up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park. The lodge would be constructed in the southern portion of the park near the Beach Access Area. The general location is east of the campground and south of the beach access parking, where a borrow pit was dug prior to the park acquisition.
Up to four pickleball courts and a disc golf course were also proposed in the general area east of the main park drive, adjacent to the north side of the Sal Run Use Area. Existing parking in the area would support the proposal but may be expanded if the need arises.
Expanding cabin or glamping sites proposed at Camp Helen State Park
There are two competing proposals for new cabins or new “glamping” sites at Camp Helen State Park. Under the first proposal, up to 10 cabins would be built within the northwestern portion of the park, north of U.S. Highway 98. The cabins would be set interior of the Lake Powell shoreline to protect the lakeside scenery while still being within convenient walking distance to the lakeshore.
Alternatively, the second proposal would construct a loop of up to 10 glamping sites with water and electrical utilities. The site would be near the existing bathhouse and set back from Lake Powell, serving as an environmental buffer to the coastal dune lake. The proposal would also consider installing footpaths to the lakeshore.
New cabins, pickleball courts, disc golf course and more parking proposed for Grayton Beach State Park
The state’s proposal for Grayton Beach State Park includes new cabins, pickleball courts, a disc golf course and additional parking. Up to 10 cabins would be built within the footprint of the existing cabin area in the West Tract of the park, south of County Road 30A. The development would include a new restroom.
The proposal would also construct up to four pickleball courts and a disc golf course in the interior of the East Tract. The pickleball courts would be just north of the campground entrance road, while the disc golf course would occupy scenic space farther north, along either side of the park entrance road.
Additional parking would be necessary for the improvements, and is proposed to be focused near or adjacent to existing facilities.
New park lodge, pickleball courts and disc golf course proposed at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Proposals planned at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park include two alternative concepts for new lodging and the construction of pickleball courts and a disc golf course.
The first lodging plan consists of up to 350 rooms southwest of the existing camping location. The second plan would require a substantial redesign of the campground, the original cabin and bungalow area and the support area. It would still need to be developed within the existing footprint but would allow for landscape beautification and an enhanced separation of distinct types of recreational uses and structures.
The proposal also includes up to four pickleball courts being built within the ruderal area just southeast of the entrance station. A disc golf course is proposed in an underutilized area south of the park cabins.
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