Florida State Parks

When Florida dropped plans to raze and remove the popular Hobe Mountain observation tower at the Jonathan Dickinson State Park as part of a plan to build golf courses in state parks, it shined a spotlight on needed repairs to the 25-foot tower and inspired restoration efforts.

A former state employee who said he leaked information about the plans to build golf courses and hotels in Florida’s state parks has apparently been fired. But James Gaddis told the Palm Beach Post that he doesn’t regret making the public aware of the proposals.

Saying Florida is not getting in the "golf course business," Gov. Ron DeSantis said plans to bring golf, pickleball, hotels and frisbee golf would go back to the drawing board.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward County was included in Florida's much maligned Great Outdoors Initiative. The park's history as Broward's 'Colored Beach' has inspired defenders to protest the changes.

The rally at Oleta State Park, along with others around the state, were staged to coincide with public meetings scheduled by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and then postponed after widespread criticism of the plans ignited petitions and letter-writing campaigns.

A veterans group that pushed for golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park has backed off its plans. But protesters still want to rally Tuesday over concerns for hotels, pickleball or frisbee courses at other parks treasured for their quiet wild lands.

Florida residents decried the announcement of a plan to add pickleball courts and golf courses to nine state parks.

An unexpected Florida plan to jazz up wilderness in state parks with golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts has outraged conservationists who say the proposals violate state law and tarnish areas of staggering beauty. The plan was leaked this week, and there is only one public meeting so far scheduled at each park.

The present window to reserve a campsite at a state park is 11 months out for residents and non-residents. That will change Jan. 1.

Florida’s state parks will reopen on Monday, part of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Phase 1 of reopening the state. During a Friday morning press conference at...

WLRN depends on donors to remain South Florida’s leading nonprofit, most trusted source of news and information. Support our mission by giving monthly as…

On Saturday, a full moon party took place at Bill Baggs State Park. It was birthday party, to be exact. The 400-acre park - which takes up a third of Key…