HOBE SOUND, Fla. (CBS12) — Some changes may be coming to the largest state park in southeast Florida.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound is part of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Great Outdoors Initiative.
The goal of the initiative is to expand public access, increase outdoor recreation opportunities and provide new overnight accommodations in Florida’s state parks, reinforcing the state’s commitment to conservation, the outdoor recreation economy and a high quality of life for Floridians.
In addition to increasing the number of campgrounds, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will also increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities in Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddleboarding.
According to DEP plans, three new golf courses could be built at Jonathan Dickinson State Park: two 18-hole courses, a 9-hole course and a clubhouse.
Since the news broke, residents and state leaders have been fighting back. On Wednesday afternoon, about 50 locals gathered at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
“The idea that we are willing to destroy vital habitat for endangered species like the Florida jay or the gopher tortoise for another golf course makes many of us angry,” says Jessica Natham, who regularly visits the park.
Natham started a Facebook page to campaign for the preservation of the 4,200-hectare park. So far, more than 17,000 people have joined her mission.
“We have all come together to support this park that we love,” Natham said.
The mission of Florida State Parks, according to its website, is to preserve and restore natural and cultural resources, but the proposed golf courses would impact the park’s sand dune, which is home to the iconic Hobe Sound observation deck.
Conservation biologist Benji Studt says this would undo decades of conservation work.
“We think of Florida as a swamp, but there are all these little desert islands,” Studt said. “So many animals and plants are so old because these rolling dunes were above sea level in geological times.”
These projects include the rescue of endangered species such as the red-throated woodpecker.
“There are several successful colonies of these birds actually breeding in the park, and this is an incredible success story for species conservation,” Studt said.
In an amendment to the Unit Management Plan posted on the DEP website, the state says the facilities will be “designed and developed in harmony with the surrounding environment,” but park visitors like Wendy Morse are skeptical.
“Once it’s gone, it’s gone. We don’t want to lose it,” Morse said.
A total of 9 parks were selected for these recreational changes. These parks stretch from Miami to the Panhandle.
- Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa
- Honeymoon Island State Park in Clearwater
- Oleta River State Park in Miami
- Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound
- Dr. By D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Ft. Lauderdale
- Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine
- Camp Helen State Park in Panama City Beach
- Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach
If you would like to comment on the upcoming changes at Jonathan Dickinson State Park, you may do so at a meeting on Tuesday, August 27th at 3:00 p.m. at The Flagler of Stuart venue, 201 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL.
