Florida’s Golf Courses on State Park Plans Change

A plan to build golf courses on a state park in Florida has been withdrawn after proposals for developments at nine state parks sparked an outcry.
A foundation called Tuskegee Dunes was behind the controversial plan to build golf courses on Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, the Palm Peach Post reported.
The foundation, which is registered in Delaware, told the newspaper that the golf courses and other facilities at the state park would have told the “inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.”
The Post reported that the foundation had previously said profits would be donated to Folds of Honor, a veterans charity that previously pursued building golf courses at the state park. Its lobbyists include a former secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
After the plans sparked a backlash, the foundation announced on Sunday that it had withdrawn its application.
“Serving God and Country is our daily goal,” the foundation said in a statement posted on its website. “That was the spirit for the idea to bring world class public golf to south east Florida, and donate all proceeds to support military and first responders’ families… We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location. We did not understand the local community landscape and appreciate the clarity. We will not pursue building in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
The foundation could not immediately be contacted for comment. Its website features no information other than the statement.
The statement was also shared on Facebook by political commentator Daniel Bongino, a Martin County resident.
“My good friends at ‘Folds of Honor’ have also assured me that they do not plan to move forward on this project,” Bongino wrote in the post. “They are great people, doing great things. They just didn’t understand the local passion for JD Park. They heard us and did the right thing.”
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that the application for the proposal was being withdrawn.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection appreciates the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation’s good-faith proposal for a public golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park,” Alex Kuchta, a spokesperson for the agency, said in a statement to Newsweek.
“While they are withdrawing their proposal, the Foundation worked with the state to pursue a project that would have created a public, world class golf course for all, while supporting veterans, first responders and their families. Their plan to honor the Tuskegee Airmen was noble.”
Kuchta added: “We appreciate their decision to pursue projects outside of the park and will continue to support the Foundation’s mission. This project will be removed from agency review.”
It came after the state’s environmental agency unveiled major development proposals for nine state parks on Wednesday, prompting a massive outcry. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration wants to build golf courses at five state parks, pickleball courts at seven state parks and park lodges at two state parks, according to the Times.
Newsweek reached out to DeSantis’ office via email for comment.
Thousands gathered to protest at state parks on Saturday, including hundreds at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Rep. Brian Mast, a Florida Republican, was among those who joined protests on Saturday. “Proud to stand with all of you to Protect our Park!” Mast wrote on Facebook.
On Sunday, he shared Bongino’s post announcing the plans for the park would not be moving forward. “Thank you Dan Bongino for calling the people over at Folds of Honor, explaining the local impact, and getting them to withdraw their participation in putting par fives across JDSP,” Mast wrote “We treasure this park and will fight tooth and nail to protect it. Thank you everyone for being in the fight!!”
Meanwhile, a petition opposing the golf course plans amassed almost 100,000 signatures in less than a week.
“There are already at least 47 golf courses between Stuart and Jupiter. That is FOURTY SEVEN golf courses in a 20 mile radius; we do not need to destroy a beloved state park to add any more,” the petition’s organizer wrote on the page.
“I’m devastated that as a community we even have to worry about this. Florida land and Florida wildlife is precious. They’re not making any more of it. Once it’s gone, it’s gone and I’m personally sick of seeing my home ruined.”
Update 8/26/24, 10:04 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.