South Florida leaders blast plan to develop state parks, launch petition

South Florida officials joined a bipartisan push against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to build golf courses, pickleball courts and lodgings at nine state parks.

State Sen. Shevrin Jones launched a petition. Marco Rubio co-authored a letter with Palm Beach County officials decrying the “Great Outdoors Initiative.”

Florida’s state parks are not for sale,” Jones said.

South Florida construction plans included cabins, pickleball courts and disc golf courses at two state parks. Far larger developments were contemplated elsewhere, including two 350-room lodging projects at parks in St. Johns and Walton counties.

DeSantis backed off the proposal on Wednesday, calling it “half-baked.”

– Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics