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

[pmd8]

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.

• Camp Helen State Park, Lyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach
• Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park, Watercolor Inn & Resort, Watercolor LakeHouse, 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach

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

 

[John R]

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]

 

[UpNorth]

LOL. They’re wasting their time entertaining the “never build nuffin” crowd.

 

[pmd8]

It appears incomplete with only one of possibly two pages.

 

[bob1]

It appears incomplete with only one of possibly two pages.

View attachment 106497

Link? Source?

 

[Here4Good]

These are all posted on the FL DEP twitter account.

x.com

x.com

 

[Dawn]

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]

They just postponed all meetings til Sept. "due to overwhelming interest".....

 

[Matt J]

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.