ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis responded to the proposed plans to develop various Florida state parks with lodging, pickleball courts, golf courses and other activities during a press conference Wednesday.
Thousands of Florida residents and politicians across both parties have taken to social media the past week to protest the "Great Outdoors Initiative" put forth by the Department of Environmental Protection.
On Sunday, hundreds of people lined Highway A1A in St. Augustine to protest proposed plans to build lodging, pickleball courts and a disc golf course inside Anastasia State Park.
At a "law and order" press conference in Polk County Wednesday, DeSantis finally addressed the pushback on what he called "leaked" plans for the state parks.
"This was something that was leaked. It was not approved by me. I never saw that," the governor said. "It was intentionally leaked out to a left-wing group to create a narrative."
DeSantis said the DEP's plans were "half-baked and not ready for primetime." He added that if Floridians don't approve of the proposals, then the state won't do them.
"I'd rather not spend any money on this, so if people don't want improvements, then don't do it," he said.
DeSantis said if any of the parks need improvements, they're "not going to take away any green space."
DeSantis said the DEP will be "going back to the drawing board," but if they do nothing, it'll be fine by him.
Jason Cleary lives near the park and thought DeSantis' remarks were a step in the right direction. But he remains cautiously optimistic.
"I think the people of Florida and St. Johns County have made it clear that this is something that we don't want. If we need to keep doing what we've been doing to make it over then whatever we'll have to do that's what we'll do," Cleary said.