HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — State lawmakers are one step nearer to passing protections for state parks.
This vote follows protest after protest at Florida’s state parks in opposition to any doable developments.
Now, the Senate will vote on a invoice that will prohibit issues like pickleball courts and extra lodging from being constructed.
If you go to a Florida state park, will you see nature preserves and wildlife, or will there be newly constructed golf programs and motels? The query comes because the push to guard 9 Florida state parks is nearing its closing hurdle.
“What we’ve in our panorama is irreplaceable and as soon as it is gone, we’re by no means going to get it again,” Gia Medina stated.
As teams proceed to push in opposition to future developments in protests throughout the state, efforts to switch the invoice to present leniency to builders was rejected within the closing committee cease on Tuesday.
This comes after growth plans to construct golf programs and add extra lodging to state parks like Hillsborough River and Honeymoon Island have been leaked, which induced widespread backlash.
“I do not suppose that they will cease at a single pickleball court docket, or one little path, or one little glamping web site. I feel that after that door is opened, it will proceed on till there is not any extra wild Florida left,” Medina stated.
Not everybody opposes the potential additions.
“If these issues encourage individuals to get out of the home, get off their units, and join with individuals outdoor, I am all for the change and the amendments,” stated Matthew McClellan.
Some individuals see the potential of a disc golf course or an opportunity to play pickleball at a state park as a approach to have the realm develop.
“It’s totally underutilized, I feel there’s a lot extra that you possibly can do with the area to boost the realm,” McClellan stated.
The way forward for the parks now lies within the fingers of the Senate. If the invoice passes, it’s going to take impact beginning this July.
