TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will sign a bill protecting state parks from pickleball and tennis courts, golf courses and lodging establishments.
The governor spoke Wednesday at a roundtable in Tampa on tax relief and took questions at the end of the discussion. When an attendee from the crowd asked if he would sign the bill, DeSantis simply responded, "Yes."
House Bill 209 was passed by the House and Senate last month and is headed to DeSantis' desk for final approval.
The announcement signifies a shift from a controversial plan that the DeSantis administration unveiled last August, known as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (FDEP) Great Outdoors Initiative.
WPTV covered the protests extensively after members of the public decried plans to develop areas of Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
WATCH: State parks bill heads to DeSantis after approval
"There's a reason why we have state parks, and set these natural resources aside," Deena McCombs with Palm Beach Hounds said. "And when we start effecting the environment by putting in golf courses and commercial entities, we'll risk losing the land and the animals and the game."
The Republican governor distanced himself from the initiative following the backlash, saying he never saw or approved plans to allow resorts and sports facilities on state park land. The plans were ultimately scrapped by the FDEP.
HB 209 doesn't ban all types of development. But it requires that any projects be "conservation-based recreational uses” that support things like hiking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, nature study and other similar activities.
If signed, the measure's effective date will be July 1, 2025.
Read more of WPTV's coverage of this issue and protests below:
State
Florida state parks bill passes, heads to DeSantis' desk
State
House passes bill to limit golf courses, pickleball courts at state parks
Region Martin County
State park 'Love Fest' events aim to end development threats
State
FDEP withdraws all remaining proposed amendments to state parks
Protecting Paradise
FACT CHECK: DeSantis calls state park 'abandoned military facility'
Golf
Report: Woods, Nicklaus involved in plan to build state park golf courses
State
Florida DEP official: Leaking of state parks plan 'felt like sabotage'
Region Martin County
'TOTAL SECRECY' What fired DEP whistleblower told WPTV about state parks plan
Protecting Paradise
Did drop in state park revenue lead to creation of Great Outdoors Initiative?
State
DeSantis: 'We're not going to take away any green space'
Let's Hear It
WE HEARD FROM YOU: What you said at WPTV's issue-driven event about state parks
Let's Hear It
'I love the park': Kids put a voice to state parks issue
Region Martin County
Withdraw of the J.D. Park plans potentially saved the status of local rare bird
Region Martin County
Could Jonathan Dickinson State Park qualify for national park status?
Palm Beach County
'Let it be what it is': Tequesta Brewing rallies against state park proposals
Region Martin County
Locals say 'neigh' in equestrian protest to Jonathan Dickinson State Park revamp
Region Martin County
'NOT GOING TO STOP': Locals rally against DEP's proposals for J.D. State Park
Region Martin County
Meeting for Jonathan Dickinson State Park plan rescheduled, new venue sought
Region Martin County
Giving mountain bikers a voice on state park golf course proposal
Jensen Beach
This coffee bar is uniquely tied to Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Region Martin County
'SLAP IN THE FACE': Mast, Harrell, Overdorf call out proposed golf courses
Region Martin County
How many people are allowed to attend DEP's Jonathan Dickinson Park meeting?
Region Martin County
'WOULD BE AMAZING': What golfers told WPTV about state park proposal
Region Martin County
WE HEARD FROM YOU: Nature lovers push back on golf courses at park
Region Martin County
