Florida State Parks

This week on The Florida Roundup, we addressed the controversial park plan, how to interpret political polls, and got the latest fact-checks from PolitiFact.

The initiative to build golf courses, pickleball courts, disc golf courses, hotels and more in nine Florida’s state parks was not an undeveloped idea. There were publicly shared plans, documents and scheduled public meetings across the state.

The information he shared helped spark massive public backlash against the plans, which have since been stalled.

"This is the only issue I can remember that united Republicans and Democrats and Independents,” said former DEP director Eric Draper. "No matter what your political beliefs are, you think this is a bad idea.

This week on The Florida Roundup, we discussed a proposal to add new development to several state parks, the jobs outlook for Florida ahead of Labor Day Weekend, a series of court hearings and other news from across the state.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Broward County was included in Florida's much maligned Great Outdoors Initiative. The park's history as Broward's 'Colored Beach' has inspired defenders to protest the changes.

Saying Florida is not getting in the "golf course business," Gov. Ron DeSantis said plans to bring golf, pickleball, hotels and frisbee golf would go back to the drawing board.

The proposal prompted hundreds of protesters to gather at the parks this week and sparked rare bipartisan opposition, including from Florida’s Republican U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.

The rally at Oleta State Park, along with others around the state, were staged to coincide with public meetings scheduled by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and then postponed after widespread criticism of the plans ignited petitions and letter-writing campaigns.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has temporarily postponed public hearings on plans to build everything from lodges to golf courses on several state parks.

This week we hear from a St. Petersburg couple about what makes state parks so special. We also get an update on primary race results in the Tampa Bay area.

This week we hear from a St. Petersburg couple about what makes state parks so special. We also get an update on primary race results in the Tampa Bay area.