ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – After Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law Thursday that bans major development projects within state park boundaries, environmental advocates hailed the new legislation a major victory for conservation.
Lawmakers unanimously passed the bill (HB 209) during this spring’s legislative session, and information on House and Senate websites said DeSantis had signed it. The measure will prohibit building golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts and ball fields in state parks.
The move cames after months of public backlash to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s “Great Outdoors Initiative,” which proposed large-scale developments—including a 350-room lodge and recreational facilities—in nine state parks, including Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County.
“We heard from around the state how important it is to keep our state parks and keep those green spaces green,” said Rep. Kim Kendall.
Environmental advocates said the legislation marks a significant step in preserving Florida’s natural heritage.
“I’m very happy, and I’m extremely grateful to the governor for signing the bill,” said Nicole Crosby, an environmentalist who has been active in opposing the proposed developments. “We can’t have too many protections on our state parks.”
However, Crosby warned that the fight for public lands is far from over, pointing to a recent land swap proposal involving the Guana River Preserve as evidence of remaining loopholes in land use policies.
“I’d like to see not just parks protected, but all public lands protected,” Crosby said. “There are loopholes that some people just weren’t even aware were there.”
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Kendall said she is working to address those concerns and plans to sponsor new legislation in the next session targeting land swap practices and reinforcing transparency.
“I will be number one, clarifying why something like that shouldn’t have happened,” Kendall said. “Second, we will be doing what the state park bill has done, which is now have public notice to be 30 days.”
She also emphasized that any recreational activity allowed in parks should be nature-based.
“Absolutely not golf courses, not pickleball courts,” she said.
Supporters said the new law reflects the power of community advocacy and a renewed commitment to Florida’s environmental legacy.