Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Join the WPTV News Team at Flagler Park in Stuart for our first themed “Let’s Hear It” event focusing on the future of our state parks.
Lawmakers and officials joined Martin County residents Tuesday to voice their opposition to Florida’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which calls for the construction of golf courses and other outdoor facilities in state parks.
Among those present was Republican U.S. Representative Brian Mast from Florida, who supported opponents of the Golf course suggestion at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Mast said he has tried to contact Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the controversial project, but has not yet received a response from either.
Mast said he is urging the FDEP to hold a “transparent public hearing period” where everyone can voice their opinion. He said he has also requested all internal documents and communications from the FDEP and its Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) regarding the proposed plan at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
A group associated with the proposal, the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, announced Sunday that it decided to withdraw from a planto build three golf courses in the park.
However, there are fears that another group could replace Tuskegee Dunes and try to push forward the plan, which has been criticized by public officials and numerous community members in recent days.
Read more of WPTV’s coverage of the proposal and protests below:
Scripps Content Only 2024
