DeSantis’ plan to develop state parks faces setbacks and protests

Facing widespread opposition across the political spectrum, Gov. Ron DeSantis ' plan to develop state parks with business ventures—such as golf courses, pickleball courts, and large hotels—has hit a snag after a key supporter pulled the plug.

The Department of Environmental Protection confirmed in an email that one group is no longer pursuing golf courses at pristine Jonathan Dickinson State Park in southeast Florida. The agency statement came after the backer, a nonprofit called Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, withdrew its proposal over the weekend.

“This project will be removed from agency review,” DEP spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta said in the email.

It wasn't clear Monday what impact the Dickinson decision might have on DEP's overall “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which envisions a variety of projects at nine state parks for people to enjoy popular sites, according to officials.

"It’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public,” said Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis' press secretary, in a post on the social platform X.

Yet the outcry was so intense when the plan became public last week that DEP scrapped hearings that had been planned for Tuesday—one hour in each location, in midafternoon when many people are working. They opted instead to reschedule the hearings for after Labor Day. Officials did not immediately respond Monday to questions about new hearing details, including whether they will go forward at all.