On Monday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced its 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative, which aims to “expand public access, increase the number of outdoor activities and provide new overnight accommodations in Florida’s state parks.”

The initiative will also expand outdoor activities in some parks, such as pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddleboarding.

One of the Florida parks where some changes are being proposed is Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound. And one change that is facing significant opposition from residents and environmentalists is the proposed construction of three golf courses on 1,000 acres of the park’s natural habitat.

According to a Unit Management Plan Amendment posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection website, plans call for the development and design of two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course. It states the 18-hole and 9-hole courses would be located “between the Brightline intercity rail hub and the U.S. Highway 1 transportation corridor,” while the second 18-hole course would be located in the “northeastern portion of the park.”

It states that the observation tower on Hobe Mountain would have to be removed and employee accommodations would have to be relocated.

A public hearing on this proposal will be held at Flagler of Stuart on August 27.

On Tuesday, a petition against the golf courses was launched on Change.org, saying that they would “not only destroy the habitat directly where the golf courses are being built, but also the surrounding environment.”

WPTV has received several emails from concerned residents asking us to investigate the matter. We are reviewing the proposal and will have more information today.