Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Florida governor Ron DeSantis suggested that his administration’s plans for the construction of a suite of leisure facilities in state parks would be put on ice.
He told reporters that the plans were “not approved by me. I never saw that,” and that he would request that Florida’s Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) revisit the proposals, which he said were leaked.
Great Outdoors Initiative
DEP plans released last week in news outlets revealed a spate of developments planned for 9 state parks, dubbed the ‘Great Outdoors Initiative’.
The parks would have some of their land converted into cabins, pickleball courts, golf courses, and other leisure facilities.
Statewide Protests
However, widespread protests in opposition to the plans occurred across the state of Florida, and, over the weekend, protestors scored a major victory.
One of the developments, in JD Park, proposed by a little-known lobbying group with ties to Fields of Honor veterans’ foundation, was announced by the DEP as having been cancelled.
Backlash Even Among Allies
The leaked Great Outdoors Initiative received widespread backlash with both the general public and public representatives across the political spectrum.
Jay Trumbull, a Republican Senator, opposed the plans, saying that the parks “should not be in the business of competing with private enterprise to provide lodging or other commercial amenities.”
Infrastructure Caution
Agricultural Commissioner, Wilton Simpson, found out late about the plans, and spoke in measured opposition to the proposal.
His advice was “to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure on state parks. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should.”
Commercialization of Nature
Republican US Representative Matt Gaetz was yet more unequivocal in his opposition to the leisure facilities.
He posted on social media: “We do NOT need to commercialize our state parks … we should keep them natural, thriving and beautiful.”
From The Top
Now, opposition to the Great Outdoors Initiative has arrived from the very top, as DeSantis signals his unwillingness to go through with the proposals.
He used a press conference to state: “I’d rather not spend any money on this. If people don’t want improvements then we won’t do them.”
Change of Heart?
DeSantis most recent comments may come as a surprise to Floridians given his administration’s previous statement on the subject.
Last week, in defense of the proposals, DeSantis’ spokesperson had told media that “it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”
Left-Wing Plot
DeSantis further distanced himself from the DEP proposals by insisting that it was part of a smear campaign involving left-wingers.
He told gathered press: “This is something that was leaked. It was not approved by me, I never saw that. It was intentionally leaked to a left-wing group to try and create a narrative.”
Golf Off the Menu
DeSantis went further, emphasizing that his state was not going to welcome corporate golf course developments in general.
He said that, under him, they would not develop on any green areas and that they are “not getting into the golf course business in the state of Florida.”
