MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — WPTV has obtained records from the office of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis that indicate he may have known more about controversial plans to build golf courses, lodges, pickleball courts and other recreational amenities in state parks.
The plans to add development to nine of Florida's state parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, were part of what the Florida Department of Environmental Protection called the "Great Outdoors Initiative."
Details of the initiative were leaked in August, sparking public outrage and the eventual withdrawal of the plans.
Facing questions about the proposed projects at an Aug. 28 press conference, DeSantis said, "A lot of that stuff was just half-baked and was not ready for prime time."
"This was something that was leaked. It was not approved by me. I never saw that," DeSantis said at the news conference.
When the plans were leaked in late August and were later posted on the DEP's website, WPTV requested records from the governor's office that could shed light on the formation of the "Great Outdoors Initiative" plans.
On Tuesday, the governor's office provided more than 180 pages of public records.
Most notably, there was a memo documenting a meeting between DeSantis and Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit that raises scholarship money for military veterans and their families.
The meeting, which was closed to the press, took place on the afternoon of April 10. Rooney was listed as the only attendee. However, the meeting makes no mention of bringing golf to a state park.
At the Aug. 28 press conference, DeSantis said Folds of Honor had a proposal to take an abandoned military base at Jonathan Dickinson State Park and convert it into golf courses, and then use the proceeds to fund scholarships for military and first responder families.
"They're not doing anything this year," DeSantis said. "They're gonna go back and basically listen to folks."
DeSantis was complimentary of Folds of Honor's mission to raise money for veterans' families through golf course proceeds. But he never said the plans were set in stone.
The governor's office did not provide records describing what was discussed during that meeting. DeSantis' office did not immediately return WPTV's phone call or email Tuesday morning requesting more information about the meeting. A spokesperson acknowledged our email, but we have not yet received a response.
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'HE ACTED AS IF HE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE'
WPTV investigative reporter Dave Bohman called Folds of Honor at their Oklahoma headquarters and emailed the organization but did not hear back.
At Jonathan Dickinson State Park on a cloudy Monday, husband and wife Kathy and Robert Fahy drove up from Boynton Beach with their dogs for overnight camping.
"When we saw all this controversy on the news we said, 'Hey, we need to go back up there again,'" Kathy Fahy told WPTV.
Bohman told them about the April meeting between the leader of the nonprofit that originally planned to operate golf courses in the park and DeSantis.
"He (DeSantis) knew it all along," Robert Fahy said.
"When he was on TV, he acted as if he never heard of it before," Kathy Fahy added.
Read more of WPTV's coverage of this issue and protests below:
State
FDEP withdraws all remaining proposed amendments to state parks
Protecting Paradise
Did drop in state park revenue lead to creation of Great Outdoors Initiative?
State
DeSantis: 'We're not going to take away any green space'
Let's Hear It
WE HEARD FROM YOU: What you said at WPTV's issue-driven event about state parks
Let's Hear It
'I love the park': Kids put a voice to state parks issue
Region Martin County
Withdraw of the J.D. Park plans potentially saved the status of local rare bird
Region Martin County
Could Jonathan Dickinson State Park qualify for national park status?
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
