ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced an initiative that plans to add hotels, pickleball courts and other activities to Florida state parks.
The change to Florida's state parks is part of the state's Great Outdoors Initiative, which is "working to enhance public access, recreation, and lodging at state parks," the DEP says.
"In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida's state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling," a press release states.
Of the state parks planning to get a facelift is Anastasia State Park near St. Augustine, where new overnight lodging, four pickleball courts and a disc golf course are reportedly in the works.
"It's sad, almost makes you want to cry," neighbor, Joanne Conrad, said.
Conrad, and many other neighbors are upset about the proposal.
As human invasion comes along it becomes very difficult for the habitat to have its place to nest," neighbor, Roman Pytel, said.
Pytel and Conrad's concerns are shared by St. Augustine City Commissioner, Barbara Blonder.
"Extremely concerned that this was not communicated through formal channels," Blonder said.
Blonder, like other neighbors, found out about the proposal through social media and word of mouth.
She said she plans to bring up the proposal at Thursday's city commission meeting.
"We'll fight this, we would be losing even more of the precious habitat that this park was, in part, designed to protect," Blonder said.
The state's objective for implementing lodging is to "expand overnight accommodations beyond traditional camping." The hotel on Anastasia State Park would have a maximum 350-room capacity and be located east of the campground and south of the beach access, according to documents received by First Coast News Wednesday.
According to the Florida State Parks website, 57 state parks have campgrounds in them.
Florida's 175 state parks attracted nearly 30 million visitors in 2022-2023, contributing to $3.6 billion economic impact and supporting over $50,000 jobs, the DEP says.
Through this new initiative, DEP said it will begin to update state park plans to allow for "increased public access" while "ensuring all improvements are welcoming and reflective of Florida's heritage."
The Florida Wildlife Federation posted details about the initiative to their Facebook page, which resulted in fiery responses from its followers.
"While we all want to enjoy our beautiful parks, adding large-scale developments to these treasured spaces can have a serious impact on the very natural resources that make them special," the nonprofit said.
The Florida Wildlife Federation claims plans have been made to develop nine Florida state parks.
"Florida’s greedy government will not be happy until every piece of green space is destroyed," one commentor said.
"My family has been going to Anastasia Park since the late 70s and still do to this date. These state parks are supposed to be protected from this happening," another poster said.
The Florida Wildlife Federation created a webpage for Floridians to "voice your concerns about these proposals."
The message reads:
I am writing to express my concern regarding the nine amendments to existing unit management plans for the following State Parks:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park (Martin County)
Anastasia State Park (St. Johns County)
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park (Walton County)
Camp Helen State Park (Bay County)
Grayton Beach State Park (Walton County)
Hillsborough River State Park (Hillsborough County)
Honeymoon Island State Park (Pinellas County)
Dr. Von Mizell – Eula Johnson State Park (Broward County)
Oleta River State Park (Miami-Dade County)
These proposed changes to the state parks that I visit and enjoy throughout Florida would tarnish the natural landscape that is increasingly rare in our state. The “Real Florida” is not comprised of golf courses, resorts, and pickleball courts. The state parks are, in some places, the only remaining vestiges of Florida's unique and varied ecosystems.
I am requesting that these proposed amendments to the unit management plans be removed from consideration because they are incompatible with the very reason I cherish our state parks.
First Coast News has reached out to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for more information and will update this story when it's provided.