MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The town of Jupiter Island has sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., asking the lawmaker if Jonathan Dickinson State Park might qualify for national park status.
The request comes after a week of protests and concerns that WPTV has covered over a proposal to build three golf courses at the park.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection said Sunday that particular proposal had been dropped and would not be taken up by the agency.
In the letter to Rubio, the town wrote in part, "given the fact that this is the second time within 15 years that golf courses have been proposed inside a state park here in Martin County, the Town of Jupiter Island kindly requests that your office explore any possibility of Jonathan Dickinson State Park transitioning to become Jonathan Dickinson National Park, given its federally protected endangered and threatened species, vast wetlands, rare coastal scrub habitat, and much more. It is clear that JDSP is under routine threat, due to a variety of factors. The Town would like information on whether a better protection matrix or management agreement may be available to protect the passive refuge in JDSP that all visitors and families enjoy today."
Read the full letter below:
The letter is signed by Mayor Penelope Townsend. The mayor and commissioners have not yet had a chance to meet in public to discuss the issue.
In 2011, the last time this issue came forward, the town passed a resolution opposing the development of a golf course in the park.
Jupiter Island was also home to Nathaniel Reed, an icon of the environmental movement and former assistant secretary of the interior in the 1970s.
His name graces the Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, which sits across from Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
With dozens of philanthropic Jupiter Island residents who sit on boards locally, and around the country, there is hope that this letter will elevate the conversation.
WPTV reached out to Rubio's office and received this statement from a spokesperson:
"Senator Rubio received the letter from Mayor Townsend and has heard from numerous constituents concerned with the state’s draft proposal to allow development in state parks throughout the state. The Senator has long believed that public land management decisions are best made at the state and local level."
The town said it received information from Sen. Rubio's office on Wednesday afternoon with a contact for the U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service, should it wish to continue its fact-finding exercise, and that “the mayor is grateful for this step, so she is able to bring any and all relevant information to town commissioners and residents at the right time,“ the spokesperson said.
Florida is currently home to three national parks: Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas.
Read more of WPTV's coverage of the proposal and protests below:
Palm Beach County
'Let it be what it is': Tequesta Brewing rallies against state park proposals
Region Martin County
Locals say 'neigh' in equestrian protest to Jonathan Dickinson State Park revamp
Region Martin County
'NOT GOING TO STOP': Locals rally against DEP's proposals for J.D. State Park
Region Martin County
Meeting for Jonathan Dickinson State Park plan rescheduled, new venue sought
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
