ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new document from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows 17 more state parks were considered for its controversial "Great Outdoors Initiative" plan.
The two-page document, titled "Florida State Parks with additional capacity for new Recreational Opportunities," shows multiple other parks considered for pickleball, disc golf, lodge and campground building opportunities.
Leaked by a whistleblower with the department earlier this year, the "Great Outdoors Initiative" is aimed at expanding public access and recreation opportunities across the state. That whistleblower was fired for leaking the information, according to multiple reports.
The proposals for new developments, including lodging, glamping sites, golf courses, and pickleball courts across several Florida State Parks, faced criticism from locals, environmentalists and bipartisan lawmakers.
The 17 additional parks stretch throughout the state and near the Georgia border, according to the document. North Peninsula State Park in Volusia County is listed for a lodge while Blackwater River State Park in the panhandle would see a disc golf course.
Back in August, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the DEP would go back to the drawing board on the initial proposals.
The governor, speaking during a news conference in Polk County, said "he'd rather not spend any money" on the proposed developments. He also claimed, without evidence, that the plans were "intentionally leaked to a left-wing group to stir up a narrative."
After sharing the new document, the DEP reiterated with 10 Tampa Bay that the state will not be moving forward with any of the proposals at this time.
"Instead, we are shifting to discussions with our local park managers and we will revisit any park improvements, if needed, next year," officials told 10 Tampa Bay.
