Photo: blackdovfx / iStock / Getty Images
FLORIDA - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has officially signed the State Park Preservation Act into law, delivering a significant win for environmental advocates following public uproar over leaked development plans last year.
The new law, which takes effect on July 1st, aims to protect Florida’s 175 state parks from commercial construction.
While it doesn’t ban all development, the measure restricts future projects to those that support nature-based recreation, like hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and camping, rather than commercial ventures such as hotels, golf courses, or pickleball courts.
The legislation comes in direct response to proposed plans revealed last summer that included building recreational facilities in several parks.
The proposals were met with intense backlash from Floridians, sparking protests and widespread public opposition.
Governor DeSantis later distanced himself from the initiative and asked the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to withdraw the suggested changes, which they did.
Lawmakers from both parties supported the bill. Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman, a co-sponsor, said the law represents a crucial step in preserving public lands.
“Our parks are treasures that belong to the people of Florida, and they must be protected,” she said.
Senator Gayle Harrell, who also sponsored the act, added that the bill ensures state parks remain untouched by commercial interests in the future.
“This legislation reflects the power of public voices,” Harrell noted.
With the new law, Florida has taken a definitive stance in favor of conservation, ensuring that its natural landscapes remain protected for future generations.