DeSantis Faces Backlash Over State Park Developments

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis' proposal to develop state parks, including constructing golf courses and hotels, has faced significant backlash, leading to the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation withdrawing its bid for a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) confirmed that the project will no longer be under review following public outcry and the cancellation of scheduled hearings due to insufficient time for public discussion. Critics, including members of DeSantis' own party, have argued that such developments threaten the ecological integrity of state parks and contradict their intended purpose as natural retreats. Environmental groups and local residents continue to voice their opposition, with concerns about potential harm to native wildlife. While DeSantis' administration defends the initiative as a way to increase public access to parks, the overwhelming bipartisan opposition raises questions about the project's future.