DEP Proposes Changes to Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Other Florida Parks

Florida Parks are Under Threat, Ironically From the Department of Environmental Protection 

Last updated Aug. 28 2024

On Monday Aug. 19, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released an announcement for their 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative. According to the DEP press release: “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 developmental plans involve nine Florida State Parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park in our neighboring Martin County. Palm Beach County and Martin County residents are taking to social media to express their disapproval of the proposed plans, which include adding three golf courses (two 18-hole and one 9-hole) to the park, removal of the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower, and disruption to 1000 acres of local habitat. The petition against this initiative already has over 100,000 signatures. Plans for other Florida parks, like Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine or Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa, include development of pickleball courts, lodging, disc golf courts and more. 

Public meetings were scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. — with an hour of time allotted — but it has since been announced the meetings will be rescheduled. The non-profit behind the proposed development plans for Jonathan Dickinson has pulled back, but the DEP has not announced that the initiative is forgotten. They have posted details on X (formerly Twitter) about plans for each park. However, in a news conference in Winter Haven, Fla. on Aug. 28, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that plans for Jonathan Dickinson were abandoned. 

Activists and community members, such as Benji Studt and Max Chesnes, have been providing critical updates and resources. We recommend following them to continue educating yourself on the changing situation. 

We value the positive impact that tourism has on Florida’s economy and the jobs the industry creates, but we don’t support the development of protected lands to further exploit our natural environment. If you’d like to join us in preventing this initiative from being enacted, follow the links below.