A DeSantis administration plan to build pickleball courts, golf courses and even a 350-room hotel in state parks across Florida is getting panned by environmentalists, residents and even top elected officials of the Governor’s own party.

Under what is billed as the “Great Outdoors Initiative, “The Florida Department of Environmental Protection plan would add an array of recreational sports facilities to nine state parks, including Oleta River State Park in Miami-Dade and Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward.

The major redevelopment proposal was revealed just a week before scheduled public meetings where the plans will be formally presented. There is a narrow window for initial public comment, with all nine parks scheduling meetings simultaneously: Tuesday, August 27 at 3 p.m.

But the proposal prompted immediate questions, including from some of the most powerful elected officials in Florida.

“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature,” Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said on Thursday. “I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”

Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis — three elected Republican members of the Florida Cabinet — have all raised concerns about the DeSantis administration’s proposal.

“Public lands should be enjoyed and protected. We have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure in state parks,” Simpson said in a post on X on Thursday.

In an email to the Miami Herald on Thursday, a spokesperson for Moody said her office has not “been directly provided information or seen any specific plans at this point,” but that Moody was aware of the proposed plans through news reports. The plan was first reported this week by the Tampa Bay Times, based on leaked documents of the details.

“As a fifth-generation Floridian, Attorney General Moody is keenly aware that the natural beauty of Florida is its greatest resource,” her office said.

Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Republican from Panama City Beach, said “state parks should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities” and that he strongly opposed the proposed changes to three state parks in his North Florida district.

“Our state parks are a treasure and they should remain focused on their primary mission: offering a refuge for those who seek to experience Florida’s natural beauty in its purest form,” Trumbull said. “I urge my fellow lawmakers and citizens to join me in protecting these parks from unnecessary development and ensuring that our natural heritage is preserved for all to enjoy.”

Late Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary Jeremy Redfern released a statement defending the plan and reminding residents there will be multiple phases of public comment ahead.

“The proposals vary and may not be approved,” Redfern wrote. “Recommendations will be evaluated, and no final decisions will be made until the public comment and review process has been completed.

“Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him. No administration has done more than we have to conserve Florida’s natural resources, grow conservation lands, and keep our environment pristine. But it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”

Golf courses vs gopher tortoises

Some parks would see relatively small additions under the proposal, like a potential disc golf course, up to four pickleball courts and an additional 10 cabins at Oleta or four pickleball courts at Mizell-Eula Johnson. Others would see much more intrusive projects. In Jonathan Dicksonson State Park in Palm Beach County, the DEP proposal calls for three golf courses, and in Topsail State Park in Santa Rosa County, DEP suggests building a 350-unit lodge.

The golf course additions echo a 2011 proposal from legislators who wanted to build at least five golf courses in state parks across Florida as part of the “Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail of Florida.” The bill was withdrawn after massive pushback from residents, politicians and famous golf pro Arnold Palmer.

Cris Costello, senior organizing manager for the Florida branch of the Sierra Club, said the stated reasons for adding recreational facilities in state parks may have changed in the last decade, but the bi-partisan backlash from Floridians hasn’t.

“People that go to state parks go for one reason, to enjoy nature. And pickleball isn’t nature, and neither is a hotel and neither is a golf course,” she said.

“The reasons are different but the people who will make money off it are probably the same. No matter what the claims back in 2011, or now, it’s never going to wash with Floridians.”

DEP did not respond to questions about the proposals, or what steps DEP would take to ensure environmental resources aren’t heavily impacted, but the agency did post a late-night thread on X Wednesday evening as a “fact check.”

In the posts, the agency said that the amenities are sorely needed and will be installed in already disturbed areas, or, in the case of Oleta, adding a disc golf course where non-native Australian slash pines have already been removed.

“Our efforts to enhance public access, recreation and accommodations are for EVERYONE. The public’s input is welcomed and always valued,” DEP wrote.

Environmental groups across the state have lined up to criticize the proposal, both for its potential impact on parkland that is supposed to be protected and for what they see as limited citizen participation in the plan.

Haley Busch, communications and outreach director for 1000 Friends of Florida, called the proposal “egregious.”

“We’re seeing huge backlash from our members, folks on our social media channels. I’m grateful Floridians are speaking in force,” she said.

Busch said the simultaneous public meetings for each park, as well as less than a week’s notice for residents to show up and offer comments on the proposed developments, suggest the state does not truly want to hear from Floridians.

“The spirit of public involvement and participation, it’s not there,” she said. “It’s almost as if some of these amenities are done deals. They’re framing it as if it’s already in the works.”

Information about the in-person public meetings is available here:

Oleta River State Park https://floridadep.gov/parks/parks-office-park-planning/content/41003-oleta-river-state-park-public-meeting

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park Public https://floridadep.gov/parks/parks-office-park-planning/content/41001-dr-von-d-mizell-eula-johnson-state-park-public