TAMPA, FL – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ recreation proposal: 

“Florida natural spaces are unique and special, and I adamantly oppose Governor DeSantis’ radical plan to literally pave paradise and put up a pickleball court,” U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL-14) said. “He aims to sell out our most beloved parks to the highest bidder under the guise of outdoor recreation. Florida’s unique natural lands and habitats—our state’s identity and way of life—should not be bulldozed to cut developers a cheap deal. DeSantis’ plan will harm our state’s ability to draw over 30 million visitors as many come to enjoy our natural places. This move marks the latest effort by the Governor to prioritize profits over the planet, following his administration’s repeated anti-environment, anti-climate actions.”

This week, Governor DeSantis announced an alarming new initiative to develop golf courses, hotels, pickleball courts, and more in many of our most beloved state parks. Reporting from the Tampa Bay Times and other outlets indicates that the Governor is proposing new projects that may lead to severe environmental destruction and habitat loss. I urge Floridians to weigh in with the Governor and their legislators and attend the hearing on August 27. We cannot allow DeSantis to railroad this proposal through!

These ridiculous projects include: multiple 18-hole golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, 350-room park lodges at both Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park on Santa Rosa Beach, up to four pickleball courts each at seven state parks, a disc golf course at five state parks, and a suite of new cabins at three parks. In Tampa Bay, plans call for up to four pickleball courts at both Honeymoon Island State Park and Hillsborough River State Park, with the addition of a disc golf course at the latter, according to the Tampa Bay Times.