Florida Senate Bill Aims to Limit State Park Development and Outdoor Activities A bipartisan bill proposed by State Senator Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, has sparked controversy in the state of Florida, threatening to hinder the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) plans to expand public access and offer new outdoor activities at state parks.
The bill, known as the State Park Preservation Act, would impose strict limitations on park development and restrict the types of recreational activities that can be promoted by the DEP. Under the bill, the DEP would be prohibited from developing new facilities or promoting non-conservation-based recreational activities, such as golf, tennis, and pickleball, which require a ball field.
Harrell's stated intention is to preserve the state's parks for their original purpose... and the bill's language clearly defines conservation-based public outdoor recreational uses. The DEP's 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative, which aimed to increase public access, add new outdoor activities, and provide additional lodging options at state parks, "would be significantly curtailed under the proposed legislation." The initiative's goals, "which included expanding public access and promoting eco-tourism.".. would be hindered by the bill's restrictions.
Source: See hereWhen the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced the launch of its 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative last year , the agency described a far-ranging plan to expand public access, add more outdoor activities and provide new lodging across state parks. A bipartisan bill proposed for this legislative session by State Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, would keep it from happening at all.
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