The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is introducing its Great Outdoors Initiative, hoping to improve public access to state parks and stimulate the economy.
But the residents of Hobe Sound are vehemently opposed to plans to build three golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
“The idea that we are willing to destroy vital habitat for endangered species like the Florida jay or the gopher tortoise for another golf course makes many of us angry,” says Jessica Natham, who regularly visits the park.
Natham tells CBS 12 News She has launched an online campaign against the plans and has 17,000 followers on Facebook.
The community has the opportunity to attend a public meeting in Stuart next Tuesday, but it will be held at 3 p.m., on a weekday, and limited to the first 150 people.
The state has targeted eight other state parks for similar projects:
Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa
Honeymoon Island State Park in Clearwater
Oleta River State Park in Miami
Dr. By D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Ft. Lauderdale
Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine
Camp Helen State Park in Panama City Beach
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach
