MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — A proposal from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to build three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park has sparked a surge of opposition from environmental groups and nature lovers.
WPTV spoke to members of the community who shared their thoughts with us during our visit to the park Wednesday.
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., on Wednesday sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis and members of the state Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) where he also pushed back against the project.
A public comment meeting is scheduled to take place Aug. 27 at the Flagler of Stuart from 3-4 p.m., but Mast said none of the seven voting members of the ARC are scheduled to attend, instead a "subject matter expert" is slated to speak.
"The absence of the ARC members at this public comment meeting will deprive them of the ability to hear from the actual public about the image their decision will have on our community," Mast said in the letter. "It also gives the appearance of a box-checking exercise to citizens who deserve to have their voices heard by actual decision-makers."
Mast urged for all members to attend the meeting or the state should offer a new meeting date for public comment where all ARC members will be in attendance to hear from the public.
"We expect that ARC members will visit the site before any vote — so they are truly informed of the impact their actions will have on our community," Mast said. "Anything less removes any legitimacy from the process and is a slap in the face."
Read Mast's full letter below:
Region Martin County
How many people are allowed to attend DEP's Jonathan Dickinson Park meeting?
"OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF PEOPLE"
State Rep. Toby Overdorf, R-Palm City, is also sounding off on the issue regarding the controversial project.
Overdorf said in a statement that an "overwhelming number of people" have reached out to his office on the golf course proposal and criticized the location and time for the public meeting.
"It is my opinion that a one hour presentation at the small facility in Stuart during a work and school day does not give you an adequate opportunity to ask questions and make public statements," Overdorf said.
He said he is requesting that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Parks System to reschedule the meeting for a larger venue.
Read Overdorf's full statement on the matter below:
"Thank you to the overwhelming number of people that have reached out to my office or contacted me personally regarding the proposed uses of Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Your voices and concerns deserve to be heard. It is my opinion that a one hour presentation at the small facility in Stuart during a work and school day does not give you an adequate opportunity to ask questions and make public statements. To that end, I am requesting the FDEP and the Florida Parks System to reschedule the proposed public meeting to a larger venue and during the evening in order to have the maximum public participation. In the meantime, please continue to call my legislative office ((772) 221-4961) or email me at Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov"
"THIS PARK IS A PART OF WHO WE ARE"
State Rep. John Snyder, R-Stuart, firmly said that Jonathan Dickinson State Park "is not open for development."
"For many of us, Jonathan Dickinson is more than just land; it's woven into the fabric of our community, our history, and our everyday lives," Snyder said. "I want you to know that I hear you, and I’m with you on this."
Snyder also said that the park is a "part of who we are."
Read Snyder's full statement below:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not open for development.
The recent announcement about developing a large portion of Jonathan Dickinson State Park has understandably struck a nerve with our community—and it should.
For many of us, Jonathan Dickinson is more than just land; it’s woven into the fabric of our community, our history, and our everyday lives.
I want you to know that I hear you, and I’m with you on this.
This park is a part of who we are, and I won’t stand by while its future is put at risk.
Protecting Jonathan Dickinson is vital to preserving the natural and cultural heritage that defines Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Please keep raising your voices and standing firm in support of our park. Together, we can ensure that Jonathan Dickinson remains the cherished sanctuary we all hold dear.
On Friday, State Rep. Kelly Skidmore, D–Boca Raton, issued the following statement regarding the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Great Outdoors Initiative:
"I am shocked the Department of Environmental Protection would propose a preposterous plan that would jeopardize the natural beauty of Florida’s state parks by turning them into golf and frisbee courses. It is the role of government to be environmental stewards, to protect its parks, and keep them as pristine as possible, not mow them down and then require excessive use of our water resources to maintain. This proposal belies the very name of the agency and is an insult to Floridians."
ADDITIONAL LETTER SENT TO DESANTIS
Both of Florida's U.S. Senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, along with Mast and other Treasure Coast leaders, sent a new letter to DeSantis and the ARC that requests a "public meeting in good faith" regarding the proposal.
The letter proposes one meeting be held in Stuart and one in Jupiter with both taking place "for as long as it takes to hear all concerns."
Read the full letter below:
Read more of WPTV's coverage on the proposal below:
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
