MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — WPTV is giving a voice to those who use bike trails at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County every day.
I listened to mountain bikers with the Scrub Club near the state park about their opposition to a plan to build three golf courses in the park.
For years, Scrub Club has biked and helped maintain the bike trails at Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Every weekend, hundreds of bikers gather to ride the trails together. Many bike weekdays as well.
Mountain bikers like David Capparelli are frustrated by the state's proposal for golf courses, saying the state park is a way of life and community.
"I love it. It's close to home there. It's got a great circuit. I don't understand how they could promote or even consider a golf course with fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, all the runoff, all the impact to wildlife that’s out there," Capparelli said.
Capparelli and Michael Feldman have biked for decades on the Jonathan Dickinson trails.
"There's not a lot of places like J.D. It's close enough to everything, but it lets you get away from everything at the same time," Feldman said. "That's why so many people love it."
Capparelli and Feldman said they plan on making the public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27 at the Flagler of Stuart.
Read more of WPTV's coverage on the proposal below:
Region Martin County
Giving mountain bikers a voice on state park golf course proposal
Jensen Beach
This coffee bar is uniquely tied to Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Region Martin County
'SLAP IN THE FACE': Mast, Harrell, Overdorf call out proposed golf courses
Region Martin County
How many people are allowed to attend DEP's Jonathan Dickinson Park meeting?
Region Martin County
'WOULD BE AMAZING': What golfers told WPTV about state park proposal
Region Martin County
WE HEARD FROM YOU: Nature lovers push back on golf courses at park
Region Martin County
