FDEP's Tacky Parks Plan
Friday, Aug. 23 UPDATE
From Florida Department of Environmental Protection Tweet:
Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is looking for new venues to accommodate the public.
We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making. To gather feedback on your favorite state parks, we’ve launched a dedicated webpage for more suggestions.
New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2, 2024.
Send in your comments regarding these tacky parks plan here.
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Thursday, Aug. 22
Dear APA Florida Members -
We are concerned about the Florida Department of Environmental Protections’ proposal that would permit tacky amenities to be developed inside our wonderous state parks.
While we champion sound, sensible planning for our parks and active outdoor lifestyles, and know that Florida State Parks are a draw for millions of residents and visitors, this proposal violates their relaxed, natural settings showing the real Florida that have resulted in a top-ranked system nationwide.
We are especially alarmed about the lack of public input and opportunities for public comment (one hour, on a Tuesday afternoon, with no virtual option). Additionally, this proposal violates FDEP's own internal park management plans and may conflict with local government comprehensive plans.
This is absolutely a planning issue. We have questions about environmental impacts, loss of public open space, traffic impacts, and planning consistency provisions. At a time when sprawl and rapid growth are putting additional pressure on cities and counties contributing to a backlog of infrastructure needs, we rely on our state parks for quiet and respite to soak up the incredible Florida flora and fauna.
We are attending these sessions and plan to weigh in as an organization and hope you can do the same:
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park Public Meeting
- Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park Public Meeting
- Hillsborough River State Park Public Meeting
- Honeymoon Island State Park Public Meeting
- Anastasia State Park Public Meeting
- Camp Helen State Park Public Meeting Notice
- Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Parks Public Meeting
- Acquisition and Restoration Council Florida Forever Regional Hearing
FDEP’s Department of Recreation and Park Mission Statement says: to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, restoring, interpreting natural and cultural resources.” Pickleball and driving ranges are not cultural resources.
To wit: Does Florida really need more golf courses?
A Call to Action
Aside from attending a meeting, we encourage all members to take action:
- Email the FDEP Department of Parks: FLStateParkPlanning@FloridaDEP.gov
- Write to Gov. Ron DeSantis
- Call or email your State Representative and State Senator. (Pro tip: Calls are weighed higher than emails.)
- Write a Letter to the Editor, especially those who live near an affected state park.
- Educate friends and family about the proposed plan and explain why it’s bad for Florida.
- Share on social media.