A plan to build golf courses in a Florida state park has been withdrawn after proposals to develop nine state parks across the state sparked an outcry.
A foundation called Tuskegee Dunes was behind the controversial plan to build golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County. Palm peach post reported.
The Delaware-registered foundation told the newspaper that the state park’s golf courses and other facilities told the “inspiring story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African-American military pilots and aviators who fought in World War II.”
The post reported that the foundation had previously said profits would be donated to Folds of Honor, a veterans’ aid organization that previously lobbied for golf courses to be built at the state park. Its lobbyists include a former secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
iStock
After the plans sparked strong reactions, the foundation announced on Sunday that it had withdrawn its application.
“Serving God and country is our daily goal,” the foundation said in a statement on its website. “That was the spirit behind the idea to bring world-class golf courses to Southeast Florida and donate all proceeds to the families of military members and first responders… We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location. We have not understood the local community landscape and appreciate the clarity. We will not continue to work to build in beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
The foundation could not be reached for comment at first. There is no further information on its website other than the statement.
The statement was also shared on Facebook by political commentator Daniel Bongino, a Martin County resident.
“My good friends at Folds of Honor have also assured me that they do not intend to move forward with this project,” Bongino wrote in the post. “They are great people doing great things. They just did not understand the passion the locals have for JD Park. They listened to us and did the right thing.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed Sunday that the application for the proposal had been withdrawn.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection appreciates the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation’s good faith proposal for a public golf course in Jonathan Dickinson State Park,” said Alex Kuchta, a spokesman for the agency, in a statement to the Tampa Bay Times.
“Although they are withdrawing their proposal, the foundation worked with the state to advance a project that would have created a public, world-class golf course for all while supporting veterans, first responders and their families. Their plan to honor the Tuskegee Airmen was noble.”
This came after the state’s environmental agency unveiled major development plans for nine state parks on Wednesday, sparking a massive outcry. The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wants to build golf courses in five state parks, pickleball courts in seven state parks and park lodges in two state parks, according to the Just.
DeSantis’ office was contacted via email for comment.
Thousands gathered to protest at state parks on Saturday, including hundreds at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Among those who joined the protests on Saturday was Republican Rep. Brian Mast of Florida. “I’m proud to stand with all of you to protect our park!” Mast wrote on Facebook.
This is exactly what FDEP/ARC needs to see so we can stop this bullshit idea of razing Jonathan Dickinson State Park. They need to see a community united and mobilized. We are proud to be a part of it…
On Sunday, he shared Bongino’s post announcing that plans for the park would not move forward. “Thank you, Dan Bongino, for calling the folks at Folds of Honor, explaining the on-site impacts, and getting them to withdraw their participation in putting on par 5s throughout the JDSP,” Mast wrote. “We value this park and will fight tooth and nail to protect it. Thank you to everyone who is fighting!!”
Meanwhile, a petition against the golf course plans collected nearly 100,000 signatures in less than a week.
“There are already at least 47 golf courses between Stuart and Jupiter. That’s FORTY-SEVEN golf courses within a 20-mile radius. We don’t need to destroy a popular state park to add more,” the petition organizer wrote on the page.
“I’m devastated that we as a community even have to worry about this. Florida’s land and wildlife are precious. They don’t make more of it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and I’m personally tired of seeing my home destroyed.”
