The signing of the bipartisan State Park Preservation Act was celebrated in Florida, as Republicans and Democrats pushed back against development in state parks.
Before reaching Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for signature, this legislation started after outrage when the Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposed development and construction of things like lodges, golf courses, and pickleball courts in state parks last year.
Sierra Club Florida also celebrated the State Park Preservation Act being signed into law.
“The signing of the State Park Preservation Act is a monumental victory for Florida’s beloved state parks—and a powerful testament to what Floridians can achieve when we stand together,” said Kristine Cunningham, Executive Committee Chair for Sierra Club Florida. “In just ten months, we transformed a reckless plan to pave over our parks into a law that protects them forever. This achievement is nothing short of historic. It sends a clear message: our elected leaders answer to the people, not to developers. This win belongs to every Floridian who marched, rallied, spoke out, and stood firm in defense of our wild places. Together, we have built one of the most powerful grassroots movements in Florida’s history, and demonstrated that even in a politically volatile state like ours, we can work together to deliver lasting change.”
The State Park Preservation Act had support from so many Republicans and Democrats because of the political uproar.
“Since August, Sierra Club Florida and its partners and allies have been on the frontlines of the fight to save our state parks, and today, we are thrilled to officially declare: VICTORY!” added Javier Estevez, Political and Legislative Director for Sierra Club Florida. “What started as the ‘Great Outdoors Initiative’ to develop our parks, has ended with a State Park Preservation Act that will ensure they are permanently protected. This landmark law is the direct result of the grassroots power and unwavering dedication of Floridians from all political affiliations who stood together to say: Our parks are not for sale. Today, we celebrate a turning point not just for our environment, but for the future of Florida.”
As Republican leaders in the legislature pushed the legislation forward this year, the Florida Democratic Party previously blamed Governor Ron DeSantis for the attempts to develop state parks.
“Ron DeSantis has lost his damn mind if he thinks Floridians are just going to sit back and let him bulldoze our beautiful state parks,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried said last year. “The bipartisan backlash to the ridiculous plans put forward by FDEP should remind him that Floridians of all political opinions can agree on one thing: we have to protect our state’s natural beauty from overdevelopment.”
Florida Democrats attempted to connect Senator Rick Scott to the controversy.
“We are in this situation because of Republican greed — and we have been here before,” FDP Chair Nikki Fried said at the time. “Rick Scott and Republican legislators proposed a similar bill in 2011, so it’s no surprise we’re back here again. Rick Scott’s former FDEP Secretary is one of the lobbyists behind the plan today. The Florida Democratic Party stands with all Floridians in the fight to save our parks.”
