Governor Ron DeSantis Halts Pickleball Courts: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new law Thursday that protects the state’s 175 parks from development projects such as pickleball courts, golf courses, and lodges. The State Park Preservation Act responds to public backlash against past plans to build such facilities in parks like Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Residents Push Back Against Development Plans
In 2023, a leaked proposal called the Great Outdoors Initiative showed plans to add hotels, tennis and pickleball courts, and even a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. That leak led Jessica Namath of Tequesta to launch the “Protect Jonathan Dickinson State Park” Facebook page.
“I am feeling overwhelming gratitude for my fellow Floridians for being so passionate and determined and staying on top of our government and elected officials to ensure that we protect our beautiful state parks.” – (Jessica Namath)
The page quickly grew to nearly 50,000 members and became a major voice in the protest movement.
“This really was personal to me. When that unit management plan was leaked, it became a lot bigger than that, of course, because we know that we’ve got to protect everything, you know, if we want to protect the thing we love.” – (Jessica Namath)
Lawmakers Take Action After Protests
The strong public response caught the attention of state lawmakers. State Senator Gayle Harrell, Representative John Snyder, State Senator Jennifer Bradley, and Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman sponsored the new law.
“It clearly defines what’s allowed and what’s not allowed. And it has to be conservation, outdoor-based activities that people can enjoy – hiking, biking, sailing, swimming, all kinds of things like that. Outdoor activities that are conservation-based. And it clearly says no golf courses, no pickleball courts, no tennis courts, no facilities that are going to really disturb the environment.” – (Gayle Harrell)
The law also creates a special advisory group to help review park conditions and upgrades. One example is the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, which needs repair.
“The tower has got to be renovated and repaired. So, we’re going to work very, very carefully this next year and in the future to make sure we get the resources to do that.” – (Gayle Harrell)
A Win for Citizens and the Environment
Senator Gayle Harrell praised the public for making this law possible.
“This is democracy at work. This was because of the people that I was able to do Senate Bill 80. The support was incredible. And I want to say thank you to everyone who did so.” – (Gayle Harrell)
Jessica Namath hopes this is only the beginning of stronger protections for Florida’s natural spaces.
“We don’t want our kids fighting these same battles. They’ve watched their parents fight, you know? So, this is something Floridians have been very clear about. And I think that we owe it to the children to get stronger legislation.” – (Jessica Namath)
The State Park Preservation Act will officially take effect on July 1.
News in Brief: Governor Ron DeSantis Halts Pickleball Courts
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the State Park Preservation Act, which stops new pickleball courts, golf courses, and similar buildings in Florida’s state parks. The bill was passed after strong protests. The law takes effect July 1 and also allows officials to review parks and fix aging structures like observation towers.
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