APOPKA, Fla. — The Florida Department of Environment Protection, which oversees state parks, has announced it is planning to add different types of amenities to at least nine state parks through a new initiative. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Florida Department of Environment Protection is planning to add different types of amenities to several state parks across the state through a new initiative

  • Called the "2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative," state officials say the plan has been put into action in an effort to increase public access to state parks, recreation and lodging

  • The state will be hosting opportunities for public input  on the plan at the end of the month

Called the "2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative," state officials say the plan has been put into action in an effort to increase public access to state parks, recreation and lodging.

"In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling," the DEP said in a statement about the initiative.

As of right now, the state revealed plans for nine parks, the details of which have caused raised eyebrows with several state leaders, including Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Critics of the plan say it goes against the essence of what a Florida state park is. 

The nine parks currently included in the initiative are Anastasia State Park, Camp Helen State Park, Dr. Von. D Mizell Eula Johnson State Park, Grayton Beach State Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Honeymoon Island State Park, Johathan Dickinson State Park, Oleta River State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park.

Some of the amenities planned, according to documents released by the DEP, include:

“We have great concerns about this,” said Simpson, a Republican and former state Senate President. “We clearly are not for commercializing our state parks and trying to make a dollar out of those.”

The DeSantis administration, however, is defending the proposal despite pushback. Late Wednesday, DEP defended itself on X, saying the plan would capitalize on low impact and underutilized areas. 

“Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him,” said Jeremy Redfern, a spokesman for Gov. Ron DeSantis. 

DEP further highlighted that golf and pickleball are among the nation’s most popular sports, and that overnight lodging is not uncommon in national parks.

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

Regardless, even Republican Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo came out vocally against the plan.

“We have worked hard to improve our state parks with the goal of protecting and preserving natural habitats, and enhancing access to passive recreational activities like hiking, biking, or canoeing,” she said. “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. I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”

Apopka resident Norm Valley, who was packing up after a three-night camping trip with his son to the Wekiwa Springs State Park Thursday, said his first choice when going camping is always a state park.

“You go to private campgrounds, it’s piled in there, and it’s just a field,” Apopka resident Valley said. “These you can see are separate sites and it’s wooded.”

He also said that when people come to state parks, it’s usually not just about being able to walk through nature. He said there’s a peaceful tranquility that comes with camping at a state park.

He said the sounds of a pickleball game or golfers would disrupt that.

“I don’t golf, I don’t play pickleball,” Valley said. “I don’t do any of those things. What I do is I camp.”

DEP is hosting multiple public hearings to get residents’ input on the plan on Aug. 27 at across the state.