© 2025 | WUWF Public Media
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514
850 474-2787
NPR for Florida's Great Northwest
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida Legislature passes bill barring pickleball, golf and hotel developments at state parks

Environmentalists, lawmakers and nature lovers gathered at Honeymoon Island State Park on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2024 to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis' "Great Outdoors Initiative", a plan to develop state parks with business ventures such as golf courses, pickleball courts and large hotels. That plan was pulled.
Daylina Miller
/
WUSF
Environmentalists, lawmakers and nature lovers gathered at Honeymoon Island State Park on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2024 to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis' "Great Outdoors Initiative", a plan to develop state parks with business ventures such as golf courses, pickleball courts and large hotels. That plan was pulled.

The Florida Legislature has voted to ban building things like pickleball courts, golf courses and big hotels at state parks.

The House unanimously approved legislation, HB 209, preventing such developments on Thursday. The Senate did the same the day before.

"We put real plans in place to make sure that for generations to come our state parks will be preserved, they will be protected, and they will be here for millions of Floridians and visitors from around the world to come and enjoy," said Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, a bill sponsor.

The measure came in response to a state plan last year that would have put such developments in some Florida parks.

ALSO READ: 'Love fests' aim to protect Florida's state parks, prevent development

Gov. Ron DeSantis eventually pulled that plan after significant public outcry. He said it was "going back to the drawing board."

The bill bounced between the chambers with back-and-forth modifications, and at some points there was uncertainty whether it would make it across the finish line.

But it now heads to DeSantis' desk. Whether he will sign it is still unknown.

It would take effect on July 1 if he does.

If you have any questions about the legislative session, you can ask the Your Florida team by clicking here.

This story was produced by WUSF as part of a statewide journalism initiative funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Copyright 2025 WUSF 89.7

Douglas Soule