Update (Friday, 4 p.m.) The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced via a post on X (Twitter) the following message regarding its originally scheduled Tuesday meetings planned for public discussion on its Great Outdoors Initiative.

“Due to the overwhelming interest with the 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, DEP is looking for new venues to accommodate the public. We want to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. Public input is vital to DEP decision-making. To gather feedback on your favorite state parks, we’ve launched a dedicated webpage for more suggestions: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7983173/Great-Outdoors-Initiative….

New meeting dates will be announced soon, with meetings expected the week of Sept. 2, 2024.”

Original story (posted on Friday at 12:45 p.m.):

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host meetings on Tuesday to review plans for nine different state parks as part of its new Great Outdoors Initiative, intended to expand access to parks, increase outdoor activities and provide new lodging options. 

Each meeting will happen at the nine parks in question:  

• Jonathan Dickinson State Park 

• Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park 

• Hillsborough River State Park 

• Oleta River State Park 

• Honeymoon Island State Park 

• Anastasia State Park 

• Camp Helen State Park 

• Topsail Hill Preserve State Park 

• Grayton Beach State Park 

However, the plan has already drawn fierce criticism from groups. The state said plans for the new initiative would include golf, disc golf, pickleball courts and even lodges with hundreds of rooms for guests.  

Groups like 1000 Friends of Florida said those activities don’t mix with state parks, where conservation and passive recreation should rein.  

Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo also commented on the plan.  

“Our vision did not contemplate the addition of golf courses and hotels, which in my view are not in-line with the peaceful and quiet enjoyment of nature,” Passidomo said on X. “I am open to other ideas, but from what I know at this time, the proposal should not move forward in its current form.”   

Jeremy Redfern, press secretary for Gov. Ron DeSantis, released a statement that said there would be multiple stages as the parks department looks to boost visitor friendliness. 

“Finally, recommendations will be evaluated, and no final decisions will be made until the public comment and review process has been completed,” Redfern said. 

The DEP clarified its proposed plans on Wednesday and said the potential of golf, lodges and other amenities will be analyzed to address needs while protecting parks.  

“Dr. Von. D Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park is in the heart of one of Florida’s busiest regions,” one post said. “Converting an underutilized paved area to pickleball courts will benefit both locals & out-of-town visitors.” 

Florida’s state parks attracted nearly 30 million visitors in fiscal year 2022-2023, and the state said many overnight accommodations are constantly booked. 

“Our cabins among the iconic dunes at Grayton Beach State Park are consistently booked– this proposal would expand overnight access with additional cabins while increasing recreational opportunities with pickleball,” the post said. 

All nine meetings about the plans for the parks will happen on Tuesday. You can find information about the meetings here.  

The closest meeting to Gainesville will concern Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County. The meeting will start at 3 p.m. and be at First Coast Technical College’s Character Counts Conference Center located at 2980 Collins Ave. In St. Augustine.  

The plan for Anastasia State Park includes a lodge with around 350 rooms.