Video: Floridians protest leaked plans to develop pickleball courts at state parks.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the State Park Preservation Act into regulation Thursday, marking a victory for many who adamantly spoke in opposition to leaked plans to construct on a number of the state’s pure lands final summer season.
The bipartisan laws, which is able to take impact July 1, enacts safeguards to forestall builders from constructing issues like golf programs, resorts and pickleball courts inside Florida’s 175 state parks.
The invoice does not ban all varieties of improvement, however going ahead, lawmakers stated Florida’s state parks shall be preserved solely for conservation-based initiatives supporting actions resembling mountaineering, kayaking, tenting and birdwatching.
“This can be probably the most monumental environmental legal guidelines Florida has ever handed,” stated Rep. Gossett-Seidman, who co-sponsored the invoice. “Our parks aren’t on the market — they’re sacred public areas stuffed with pure magnificence that should be protected for future generations.”
The laws was largely a response to large protests that had been organized final summer season after outraged Floridians discovered of plans to pave elements of their favourite state parks for pickleball courts and resorts.
Gov. Ron DeSantis distanced himself from the proposals following the backlash, saying he by no means accredited the plans. The Florida Division of Division of Environmental Safety (DEP) then withdrew the proposed amendments on the governor’s request.
Nevertheless, Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), one other sponsor of the State Park Preservation Act, stated he wished to ensure one thing like that could not ever occur once more.
“The passage of this invoice ensures that our state parks are protected without end,” Harrell stated. “That is democracy at work. The voices of the folks have been heard.”
