- 115-0 House vote prohibits golf courses/lodges in parks
- Public protests forced DeSantis to abandon 2023 development plan
- Requires conservation-baseduses like hiking and nature study
- Senate version contains potential loophole for future development
- Bipartisan support expected before May 2 legislative deadline
Florida lawmakers delivered a decisive environmental statement Wednesday as the House unanimously passed legislation to protect state parks from commercial development. The bill specifically prohibits golf courses, pickleball complexes, and luxury accommodations across Florida's 175 state parks, responding to widespread public opposition against last year's proposed Great Outdoors Initiative.
Analysis shows eco-tourism contributes $132 billion annually to Florida's economy, dwarfing potential returns from privatized park amenities. This legislation mandates that 94% of parkland remain dedicated to low-impact activities like birdwatching and kayaking. Conservationists argue this preserves both ecosystems and the authentic Old Floridaexperience that attracts 28 million annual visitors.
The bill's momentum follows dramatic grassroots resistance to 2023 DEP proposals for nine parks. Protesters flooded hearings with signs reading Parks Over Profit,forcing administrators to abandon plans after just 47 days. Representative Cross (D-St. Petersburg) noted: When 800 people show up to a park hearing holding handmade signs, politicians listen.
Notable differences between House and Senate versions center on Section 4(c), which environmental groups warn could allow adaptive reuseof existing structures for commercial purposes. Senate sponsor Harrell (R-Stuart) acknowledged concerns but emphasized: We're working to balance preservation with responsible access. Our language mirrors successful models from Texas state parks.
With 73% of Floridians opposing park commercialization in recent polls, the legislation enjoys rare bipartisan support. Democratic Representative Tant highlighted economic wisdom: Nature-based recreation supports 132,000 local jobs. A golf course might employ 30 people – it's terrible math for communities.Final negotiations will determine whether sunset provisions or historical site exceptions appear in the reconciled bill.
The debate reflects growing national tension between preservation and monetization of public lands. Unlike California's controversial park concession expansions, Florida's approach prioritizes habitat protection – a strategy that boosted Colorado's outdoor industry by 31% after similar 2019 reforms. As the May 2 session deadline approaches, stakeholders await DeSantis' position on what could become a model for conservation-focused park management.
