DeSantis signs bill protecting Florida's state parks into law
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the State Park Preservation Act into law Thursday, marking a victory for those who adamantly spoke against leaked plans to build on some of the state's natural lands last summer.
The bipartisan legislation, which will take effect July 1, enacts safeguards to prevent developers from building things like golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts within Florida's 175 state parks.
Tampa group says there are no graves on controversial property they want to sell
The bill doesn't ban all types of development, but going forward, lawmakers said Florida's state parks will be preserved exclusively for conservation-based projects supporting activities such as hiking, kayaking, camping and birdwatching.
'This may be one of the most monumental environmental laws Florida has ever passed,' said Rep. Gossett-Seidman, who co-sponsored the bill. 'Our parks are not for sale — they're sacred public spaces filled with natural beauty that must be protected for future generations.'
The legislation was largely a response to massive protests that were organized last summer after outraged Floridians learned of plans to pave parts of their favorite state parks for pickleball courts and hotels.
Gov. Ron DeSantis distanced himself from the proposals following the backlash, saying he never approved the plans. The Florida Department of Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) then withdrew the proposed amendments at the governor's request.
However, Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), another sponsor of the State Park Preservation Act, said he wanted to make sure something like that couldn't ever happen again.
'The passage of this bill ensures that our state parks are protected forever,' Harrell said. 'This is democracy at work. The voices of the people have been heard.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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