Protest Against Pickleball in Miami State Parks: This morning, Oleta River State Park became the site of a passionate demonstration, as nature lovers gathered to voice their opposition to a controversial development proposal that threatens the integrity of several Florida state parks. The plan, which includes adding hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts, has sparked widespread concern among park goers, environmentalists, and politicians.
The Significance of Oleta River
Oleta River State Park is one of only two South Florida parks included in this sweeping proposal, and its inclusion has not gone unnoticed. The park, cherished for its natural beauty and tranquil environment, stands as a symbol of what many fear could be lost if development continues unchecked. The pushback against this plan has been intense, with critics adamant that these green spaces must be preserved for future generations. The state’s decision to postpone community meetings originally scheduled for today has only intensified the resolve of those who oppose the changes.
Protest as Education: The Role of Miami Nature School
The protest, organized by local environmental advocate Catalina Lemaitre, has taken on an educational dimension. Students from the Miami Nature School, a day school that integrates nature into its curriculum, are using the event as a field trip, a hands-on lesson in environmental activism. Alongside them are homeschooled students and participants from other nature-based schools, including Miami Nature Playschool and Take Root Forest School.
“Kids are really upset, families are really upset,” says Lemaitre, reflecting on the emotional response from the community.
Art and Activism: A Creative Response
In a poignant display of their connection to the park, attendees will create art inspired by their love of Oleta River State Park and their desire to protect it. Yarn will be used to outline the proposed site of a pickleball court, a symbolic act that underscores the protestors’ opposition to the encroachment of development. This visual protest will be followed by a nature cleanup, reinforcing the participants’ commitment to preserving the park’s pristine environment.
Voices from the Frontlines
Lemaitre, who regularly holds nature-based art workshops in Fort Lauderdale under the banner of “Art History in the Park,” has visited over 50 Florida state parks. For her, these spaces are more than just recreational areas—they are vital teachers in our lives. She recalls her favorite activities at Oleta, such as kayaking, hiking, and biking, which connect her deeply with the natural world. At Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward, another park threatened by the state’s proposal, Lemaitre treasures the sense of isolation from the urban sprawl that surrounds it.
“It feels like you left our state for a little bit, it feels like you’re transported,” she explains, capturing the essence of what makes these parks irreplaceable.
A Call to Action: Protecting Florida’s Green Spaces
Sophie Ringel, executive director of Clean Miami Beach, has also played a crucial role in organizing the rally. She hopes the demonstration sends a clear message to Tallahassee: the state park proposal must be rescinded. For Ringel and many other Floridians, the preservation of the remaining green spaces is a critical issue, one that demands urgent and unwavering action.
“I think as Floridians we have to do everything in our power to preserve the little green space that is left,” Ringel asserts, echoing a sentiment that resonates with many who understand the importance of Florida’s natural heritage.
News in Brief: Protest Against Pickleball in Miami State Parks
Nature lovers protested this morning at Oleta River State Park against a controversial proposal to add hotels, golf courses, and pickleball courts to several Florida state parks. The protest, organized by Catalina Lemaitre, included students from local nature-based schools who used art to express their opposition and outlined the proposed pickleball court area with yarn. A nature cleanup followed the demonstration. The plan, which affects Oleta and another South Florida park, has drawn significant criticism. Activists, including Sophie Ringel of Clean Miami Beach, urge the state to protect the remaining green spaces from development.
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