Trying to quell a bipartisan uproar, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that “half-baked” plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks will be revamped.
DeSantis said the Department of Environmental Protection will gather more public input before it could move forward with what is dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative.”
The Great Outdoors Initiative started as an executive order, signed in October 2023 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. It contained no mention of development inside Florida’s state parks.
The order aimed to “encourage all Florida residents to participate in outdoor recreation,” and included three directives:
The Florida Department of Environmental protection was instructed to temporarily offer annual state park passes for half price.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was given the ability to temporarily offer some sportsman licenses for half price.
Those temporary discounts were to be offered between Oct. 14, 2023 and Jan. 13, 2024.
On Aug. 19, 2024 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced its “Great Outdoors Initiative” for the next fiscal year. This time, there was no executive order. However, a press release said the initiative would increase “campsites, cabins and lodges on park property” and “increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling.”
“WE’RE NOT GONNA TAKE AWAY ANY GREEN SPACE” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday a controversial plan to build three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park — a proposal that has now been withdrawn — was “intentionally leaked” and was “not approved by me.”
Mortgage Rates
Continue to Drop
Mortgage rates fell again this week due to expectations of a Fed rate cut. Rates are expected to continue their decline and while potential homebuyers are watching closely, a rebound in purchase activity remains elusive until further declines are seen.
