Crashing is part of cycling as crying is part of love.
Johan Museeuw
- The Lion of Flanders
HOBE SOUND, Fla. The proposal to build multiple golf courses within Jonathan Dickinson State Park, as part of Florida’s “Great Outdoors Initiative,” has ignited widespread opposition from community members, environmental groups, and government officials. Announced by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the initiative aims to enhance outdoor recreation across the state by introducing activities such as golf, pickleball, and disc golf. However, the plan to develop golf courses within this beloved state park has raised serious concerns about potential environmental impacts and the preservation of natural habitats.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, located in Martin County, was identified as a key site for these developments, with the proposal including the removal of the popular Hobe Mountain Tower and the use of already disturbed areas to minimize habitat disruption. The initiative was intended to cater to the increasing number of visitors to Florida’s state parks. However, local residents, environmental advocates, and officials have expressed skepticism about the feasibility and ecological soundness of the plan.
Community Outrage
The announcement caught many local officials off guard, including Florida State Senator Gayle Harrell, who has long served on the environmental committee. “To have this kind of thing done so rapidly is very detrimental. I don’t think this is the right thing to do in this park,” Harrell stated, voicing her strong opposition. U.S. Congressman Brian Mast also expressed his frustration over the lack of communication regarding the proposal. Mast emphasized the need for transparency and accountability, urging the DEP to involve local community members in the decision-making process.
Mast was particularly alarmed by reports that none of the voting members of the Acquisition and Restoration Council—the governor-appointed body within the DEP responsible for approving such proposals—planned to attend the public meeting. In response, he wrote a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, stressing the importance of council members hearing directly from the community before making any decisions.
The proposal’s unexpected nature and its potential to alter the landscape of a cherished state park have galvanized opposition across multiple fronts, with many calling for a more thoughtful and inclusive approach to recreational development in Florida’s natural areas.
Environmental Concerns
Environmental advocates have raised serious alarms about the potential impact of constructing golf courses within Jonathan Dickinson State Park, warning that it could harm the park’s delicate ecosystem. Palm Beach County Commissioner Greg Weiss voiced concerns about runoff from the proposed golf courses into the nearby Loxahatchee River, which has been the focus of extensive and costly restoration efforts. Weiss noted that both the county and state have invested millions in restoring the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Loxahatchee River, and runoff from golf courses could jeopardize these efforts, threatening water quality and aquatic life.
Environmental groups, including Audubon Florida, have strongly opposed the plan, arguing that the park provides critical habitats for several endangered species. The introduction of golf courses, they contend, would pose a significant threat to these natural resources. “Florida has no shortage of places to swing a golf club, sample the continental breakfast, or try your hand at pickleball,” Audubon Florida stated. “But increasingly rare are the opportunities to spot the deep blue feathers of a Florida scrub jay, witness the miracle of neotropical bird migration, or experience Florida in all its natural beauty.”
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including several threatened and endangered species. Environmental advocates fear that the construction of golf courses would disrupt these vital habitats. The park serves as a critical ecosystem supporting wildlife, such as the Florida scrub jay and various migratory birds. Introducing golf courses could lead to habitat fragmentation, which often results in the decline of local species populations.
One of the most pressing concerns is the potential for chemical runoff from fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides commonly used on golf courses. This runoff could contaminate nearby water bodies, particularly the Loxahatchee River, undermining years of restoration work. Such contamination would have detrimental effects on water quality, impacting both aquatic life and the broader ecosystem.
The proposal would also necessitate significant alterations to the park’s landscape, likely resulting in the removal of natural vegetation and the destruction of existing habitats. Critics argue that the park’s natural beauty and ecological integrity should be preserved rather than sacrificed for recreational developments that prioritize profit over conservation. Environmental groups emphasize that Florida already has numerous venues for golfing and other recreational activities that do not encroach on protected natural areas, making this development both unnecessary and harmful.
Community Mobilization
The community’s response to the proposal has been overwhelmingly negative, with residents rallying to protect the park’s natural resources. Thousands of people have taken to social media to voice their opposition, and local leaders have organized protests to raise awareness about the potential environmental impacts. Activists argue that preserving Florida’s natural landscapes is crucial for future generations and insist that the state should prioritize conservation over commercial development.
In response to the proposal, community members have flooded the inboxes of elected officials at the county, state, and federal levels, expressing their concerns. A protest is planned for Saturday at 9 a.m. outside the park, and the public meeting scheduled for Tuesday, August 27, at the Flagler of Stuart from 3 to 4 p.m. is expected to draw a large crowd of concerned residents. The intense opposition, spanning both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, has already led the Department of Environmental Protection to postpone the public hearings initially scheduled for Tuesday.
Over the weekend, hundreds of people gathered at protests near the nine parks targeted by the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” many carrying signs adorned with wildlife art to symbolize their commitment to protecting Florida’s natural resources. The widespread backlash has highlighted the community’s deep-rooted dedication to conservation and its determination to resist developments that threaten the state’s ecological treasures.
Florida has a long history of public outcry against similar proposals to commercialize state parks. Past attempts to introduce golf courses and other attractions in protected areas have frequently met with fierce resistance from environmentalists and community members. The recent backlash against the golf course proposal at Jonathan Dickinson State Park is part of a broader movement advocating for the preservation of Florida’s unique ecosystems, reflecting a growing consensus that natural areas should remain untouched by commercial interests.
Withdrawal of the Proposal
In a surprising turn of events, the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation, the nonprofit organization behind the controversial golf course proposal, has announced its withdrawal from the project. Facing intense backlash from the community, lawmakers, and environmental organizations, the foundation acknowledged that Jonathan Dickinson State Park was not an appropriate location for such development. The initial proposal aimed to honor the Tuskegee Airmen—a group of African American military pilots who served during World War II—with proceeds from the golf courses intended to support scholarships for military families through the Folds of Honor organization.
The foundation released a statement late Friday, emphasizing that the golf courses and associated facilities were intended to tell the “inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen.” However, in light of the overwhelming opposition, the foundation officially withdrew the proposal on Sunday, with political commentator Daniel Bongino announcing the decision. The statement from the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation read, “We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location. We did not fully understand the local community landscape and appreciate the clarity. We will not pursue building in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
Despite the foundation’s withdrawal, some community members remain skeptical until they receive official confirmation from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Jessica Namath, a Tequesta resident who spearheaded the opposition, remarked, “We have a lot of questions. Why is Daniel Bongino the one sending this out? This raises more concerns. We’re not buying it or believing it until we see something formally issued.”
The DEP later confirmed in a statement that the proposal had indeed been withdrawn, with spokesperson Alexandra Kuchta expressing appreciation for the foundation’s good-faith proposal. However, the foundation’s sudden withdrawal has left some unanswered questions. Incorporated in August 2021, the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation is listed as having $436 in delinquent taxes and provides little public information about its structure, including its location, nonprofit status, website, board members, or history. The involvement of the foundation, whose Florida lobbyist Ryan E. Matthews previously served as interim secretary of the DEP under former Governor Rick Scott, has also drawn scrutiny, as has its connection to the Oklahoma-based Folds of Honor charity.
Despite the proposal’s withdrawal, environmental groups have vowed to continue opposing any development within state parks, stressing the importance of preserving Florida’s natural beauty and wildlife habitats. The withdrawal has been met with relief by many community members and environmental advocates, yet concerns linger about the future of the “Great Outdoors Initiative.” Local leaders are now calling for a thorough review of the initiative to ensure that public lands remain protected from commercial development. As the DEP continues to evaluate proposals for state parks, the community remains vigilant, advocating for the preservation of Florida’s cherished natural landscapes.
The controversy over the proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park highlights the enduring tension between development and environmental conservation in Florida. As the state looks to expand outdoor recreational opportunities, it must balance these ambitions with a commitment to protecting its unique ecosystems. The swift withdrawal of the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation’s proposal underscores the significant influence of community advocacy in shaping the future of Florida’s public lands. Going forward, it is crucial for state officials to actively engage with local communities and prioritize their input in the planning process for any future developments, ensuring that preservation remains at the forefront of decision-making.
