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Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposing major changes to various State Parks throughout Florida

Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal Guide
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Florida Wildlife Federation post today.

BREAKING: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced an initiative yesterday proposing major changes to various State Parks throughout Florida.

Today, with only one week notice, FDEP announced public meetings throughout the state scheduled for 3pm on Tuesday, August 27th. The meetings will consist of a presentation and opportunity for public comment, but with only an hour allotted they do not appear to include a question-and-answer period.

The proposed changes are thought to include golf courses, pickleball courts, and resort-style hotels. These proposed changes are in direct conflict with state law guiding the Division of Recreation and Parks (FS 258.037).

Swipe through to see if your state park will be affected and when and where the public meeting will take place.

While we all want to enjoy our beautiful parks, adding large-scale developments to these treasured spaces can have a serious impact on the very natural resources that make them special.

Let’s protect what makes our natural spaces extraordinary. Stay tuned for more information on how you can help save our parks.

Can’t make it to the meeting? Click the link to make your voice heard: Action: State Parks Threat • Florida Wildlife Federation

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Replies

49
Lake View Too avatar
Lake View TooSoWal Insider
#2
The most disgusting thing, so far, coming out of the DeSantis camp. We must defend the essence of Florida, the undisturbed natural beauty of its majestic wilderness.
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#3
Press Release Header

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 19, 2024​

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850-245-2112, DEPNews@FloridaDEP.gov​

DEP Announces 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative to Increase Public Access, Recreation and Lodging at Florida State Parks​

~ Ensures Florida’s conservation lands can be enjoyed by Floridians today and tomorrow ~
​
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the launch of its 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative. The initiative will work to expand public access, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options across Florida's state parks—reinforcing the state’s dedication to conservation, the outdoor recreation economy and a high quality of life for Floridians.

The Florida Park Service, established in 1935 to bolster the state’s growing tourism sector and manage its historic sites and conservation lands, remains a national leader in public land stewardship. In Fiscal Year 2022-23, Florida’s 175 state parks attracted nearly 30 million visitors, contributing to an annual economic impact of $3.6 billion and supporting more than 50,000 jobs. Florida's broader outdoor recreation economy continues to thrive, generating over $52 billion in economic output and supporting more than 460,000 jobs in 2022 alone—a 20% increase in economic output and an 11% rise in employment compared to the previous year.

Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has significantly increased its investment in conserving its natural landscapes, acquiring over 260,000 acres, the majority of which are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This cumulative investment represents nearly 20% of the total acres of lands currently part of the Florida State Park System.
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.

Since 2019, Florida has invested over $400 million to support the operation and maintenance of existing park infrastructure. Through this initiative, DEP will begin to update state park plans to allow for increased public access, while employing the same best practices utilized by DEP and park systems across the country, ensuring all improvements are welcoming and reflective of Florida’s heritage, are complimentary of and work with park-specific resources, are compatible and fitting within surrounding landscapes, and provide efficient amenities that visitors expect.

Today’s announcement reinforces the DeSantis Administration’s record support for conserving our natural landscapes and commitment to ensuring every Floridian can visit and recreate at Florida’s state parks. This includes the 2023-24 Great Outdoors Initiative, which offered 50% discounts for Florida State Parks annual passes and Florida’s Freedom Summer Kickoff on Memorial Day, which provided all Floridians free entry into state parks.
Celebrating its 90th Anniversary in 2025, the Florida Park Service, the first to win the prestigious Gold Medal Award four times for excellence, is one of the nation’s largest park systems, comprising 175 state parks, trails and historic sites across more than 815,000 acres and 100 miles of pristine coastline. To find a state park near you, visit FloridaStateParks.org.​
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#4
There has been a slow commercialization of the state parks for years now. This is because people wanted the state run like a business and this is considered a huge drain on the budget.

There has been talk for quite some time about cabins at Camp Helen and if their in line with other state park cabins that's fine, they shouldn't be subcontracted luxury suites.

The additional cabins at Grayton and the bathroom are good, this would all be in the cabin area which is west of Grayton proper. Again, the cabins should be modest.

The "lodge" is a hard no and according to our LDC/Comp Plan it's a no go as hotels/motels are restricted to less than 100 or 125 rooms, I can't remember which. The state has to go through and abide by the code like anyone else.

The pickleball crap is just to lure in boomers that would sell their grandkids for one more game. Politicians used shuffleboard courts to get anything they wanted back in the day, almost every state park had at least one court and they where usually exorbitantly expensive to install if you catch my drift.

I forgot to point out where two of the meetings are being held, on private property, and JOE no less....
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#5
DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (CT)

PLACE: Watercolor Inn & Resort, 34 Goldenrod Circle Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, The Lakehouse.

PROPOSAL:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County):
- A park lodge with up to 350 rooms
- A disc golf course in the scrubby flatwoods south of the cabin area
- Pickleball courts

Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County):
- A new restroom at the beach access area near the cabins
- 10 new cabins
- A disc golf course
- Pickleball courts

Camp Helen State Park (Bay County):
- New cabins and glamping
conchBeach Lover
#6
The locations of the meetings is just the tip of the iceberg.
WHO do you think would be building and operating a 350 room
“LODGE”?
I think the area has plenty of existing lodging {and more coming online every day} for people to stay in while they visit 30A and its great state parks.
As for the addition of "sports venues”, P.B. courts will require
hard infastructure, concrete, electric, lighting etc.
Not exactly being one with nature. How about they add more courts to the existing county sports complex instead?
The disc golf venues are OK with me, as they offer minimal intrusion into nature, and at the same time get folks out INTO nature, which is the primary reason for having state parks.
UpNorth avatar
UpNorthBeach Lover
#7
This definitely seems to be wading into territory that can be abused.

On the plus side, despite the fact that surely the Stone Agers and No Developmenters will detest “commercialization” of state lands, public/private partnerships tend to produce better economic results at less cost to taxpayers, and if they can fancy up a few areas within the hundreds or thousands of preserved acres to attract more people, I think that’s great.

The downside is, doesn’t this open the door to future projects which can be done subjectively and perhaps less tastefully in terms of the general public? The main thing is there has to be a public benefit. If we re gonna see a hotel put up with $600 a night rooms I don’t see how that does the general public any good. At that point it would basically just be a convoluted land giveaway. If we’re going to have family friendly lodging options with $79 rates and $50 golf, that would be great and surely open up quite a bit for people whom wish to enjoy these places.
bob bob avatar
bob bobBeach Fanatic
#8
I'm against pretty much anything coming from DeSantis.
Jimmy T avatar
Jimmy TBeach Fanatic
#9
FDEP = Florida Department of Environmental Pollution.
pmd8 avatar
pmd8Beach Lover
#10
One week notice, having two separate meeting sites for Topsail and Camp Helen and for Tampa area parks...

Could they be any more transparent about their contempt for the public?

I'm going to do my best to get to both meetings, but the Topsail and Camp Helen meeting sites are 40 minutes apart.

A 350-room lodge at Topsail is ridiculous. Any lodge is ridiculous.

Although not quite as ridiculous as 3 golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Stuart. It would destroy hundreds of acres of scrub habitat.
pmd8 avatar
pmd8Beach Lover
#11
August 27, 4pm-5pm.

One week notice, having two separate meeting sites for Topsail and Camp Helen and for Tampa area parks with only one hour for public comments.

The meeting sites are 40 minutes apart.

Could they be any more transparent about their contempt for the public?

A 350-room lodge at Topsail is beyond the pale. Any lodge would remove priceless habitat that we can't afford to lose.

Although not quite as egregious as the 3 golf courses planned for Jonathan Dickinson State Park near Stuart. It would destroy hundreds of acres of scrub habitat.


www.tampabay.com

Are changes coming to Florida’s state park system?

Florida’s environmental agency is floating the idea of golfing and lodges on state park property. Details are scarce.
www.tampabay.com www.tampabay.com
John R avatar
John Rneeds to get out more
#12

Public input meeting regarding changes to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park Aug. 27​

https://waltonoutdoors.com/public-i...ate-park-and-grayton-beach-state-park-aug-27/
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks, announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. (CT)

PLACE: Watercolor Inn & Resort, 34 Goldenrod Circle Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, The Lakehouse

Proposed changes to parks:

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County):
– A park lodge with up to 350 rooms
– A disc golf course in the scrubby flatwoods south of the cabin area
– Pickleball courts

Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County):
– A new restroom at the beach access area near the cabins
– 10 new cabins
– A disc golf course
– Pickleball courts

If you cannot make the meeting, you can send your comments here:
Office of Park Planning
Contact Email:
WaltonCountySPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov
Contact Phone:
tel:850-245-3051
Teresa avatar
TeresaSoWal GuideAuthor
#131
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UpNorth avatar
UpNorthBeach Lover
#14
LOL. They’re wasting their time entertaining the “never build nuffin” crowd.
pmd8 avatar
pmd8Beach Lover
#151
It appears incomplete with only one of possibly two pages.

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Here4Good avatar
Here4GoodBeach Fanatic
#17
These are all posted on the FL DEP twitter account.

x.com

x.com x.com
Dawn avatar
DawnBeach Fanatic
#18
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has unveiled extensive amendment proposals for the unit management plans of Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, potentially transforming these natural areas with new accommodations and recreational facilities.

A public meeting to discuss these changes is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024, from 3 to 4 p.m. CT at the WaterColor Lakehouse in Santa Rosa Beach.

For Grayton Beach State Park, the proposed amendments include:

Adding up to 10 cabins within the existing cabin area in the West Tract, south of County Road 30A
Constructing a new beach access restroom near the existing beach access parking area
Developing up to four pickleball courts north of the campground entrance road in the East Tract
Creating a disc golf course along either side of the park entrance road
Expanding parking areas for the eastern beach access

At Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, the plans include:

Developing a park lodge with up to 350-room capacity. Two alternative concepts are proposed:
Constructing the lodge southwest of the camping area
Redesigning the existing campground, original cabin/bungalow area, and support area to accommodate the lodge
Adding up to four pickleball courts southeast of the entrance station
Creating a disc golf course in an area south of the park cabins

The DEP states these changes aim to enhance public access, recreation, and lodging at state parks as part of Florida’s Great Outdoors Initiative. The department emphasizes that all improvements will employ best practices to ensure facilities are harmonious with park-specific resources and compatible with native lands and plants.

However, the Florida Wildlife Federation has raised concerns about the proposals. According to the Federation, these changes could “forever alter the natural landscape and passive recreational enjoyment of our treasured public lands.”

They argue the proposals conflict with state law guiding the Division of Recreation and Parks, specifically Florida statute 258.037, which promotes “such character as to emblemize the state’s natural values” and aims to “enjoy these values without depleting them.”

The DEP maintains that sensitivity to each park’s classification and avoidance of critical habitats will be prioritized in the design and implementation of these facilities.

Public participation in the upcoming meeting is encouraged, with accommodations available for those requiring special assistance. Those seeking more information can contact the Office of Park Planning at 850-245-3051 or email WaltonCountySPpublicmeeting@floridadep.gov.
jodiFL avatar
jodiFLBeach Fanatic
#19
They just postponed all meetings til Sept. "due to overwhelming interest".....
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#20
They just postponed all meetings til Sept. "due to overwhelming interest".....

More like plummeting polls. I don't think I saw a positive headline about it all day.

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