Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Political News

Florida Senate Committee Advances Bill to Block Golf, Pickelball, Lodges at Anastasia State Park

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Senate moved forward with a bill that would ban the construction of golf courses, pickleball courts, and hotel-style lodges in state parks. This action follows bipartisan criticism of the previous “Great Outdoors Initiative” proposal.

The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee approved bill SB 80, sponsored by Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, with unanimous support.

Florida State Senator Gayle Harrell
Sen. Harrell

“Our state parks are so unique, and we want to make sure that they are there for the enjoyment and the conservation of our natural resources in our state of Florida,” Harrell said.

Last year, there was significant controversy surrounding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection‘s announcement of the “Great Outdoors Initiative” This included a news release and social media posts highlighting plans for nine parks.

<

One of the most contentious aspects of the initiative was the proposal to add three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, which falls within Harrell’s district. Other parts of the initiative that faced considerable backlash involved plans to construct lodges with up to 350 rooms at both Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County..

Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration has paused the proposal following public outcry. In response, Representative Harrell and Representative John Snyder (R-Stuart) have introduced bills aimed at preventing similar developments in the future. These bills are set to be considered during the legislative session that begins on March 4.

The bill would permit the construction of cabins at state parks, with a maximum capacity of six people each. While environmental groups supported the bill on Tuesday, some advocated for revisions to ensure it addresses other potential types of development.

Author

  • Florida Daily offers news, insights and analysis as we cover the most important issues in the state, from education, to business and politics.

    View all posts
*The link takes you to this product on Amazon. We are on Amazon Associates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Archives

Related Articles

Florida Government & Politics

MIAMI, FL – Miami-Dade County, long considered a Democratic stronghold in Florida, has experienced a significant political shift, with the latest voter registration data...

Florida Government & Politics

Below is an official release from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding congressional term limits.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was invited by the U.S. Term Limits...

Top Story

Earlier today, Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted Florida’s leadership on immigration enforcement and announced that Florida is ready to do more. “Florida has led the...

Popular Stories

KEY WEST, Fla. — A new state-of-the-art seawater desalination facility has officially opened in the Lower Florida Keys, aiming to enhance water security for...

Advertisement
Florida Daily
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

HOW WE COLLECT E-MAIL INFORMATION:

If you sign up to subscribe to Florida Daily’s e-mail newsletter, you will provide us your e-mail address and name, voluntarily, and we will never obtain any of your contact information that you don’t voluntarily provide.

HOW WE USE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS IF YOU VOLUNTARILY PROVIDE IT TO US:

If you voluntarily provide us with your name and email address, we will use it to send you one email update per weekday. Your email address will not be given to any third parties.

YOUR CONTROLS:

You will have the option to unsubscribe to our E-mail update at anytime by clicking an unsubscribe link that will be provided in each E-Mail we send.