Florida’s state parks to set up golf and pickleball courts
Headlines on PNJ.com: This is the news from Wednesday, August 21
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According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, at least eight Florida state parks could soon add pickleball courts, golf and disc golf facilities, and more lodging.
The state DEP has announced the launch of its 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative, which proposes to expand public access, enable more outdoor activities and provide new overnight accommodations in the Sunshine State’s parks.
The news released Monday was light on details, focusing mostly on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ investments in preserving the state’s natural landscapes. Details found in agendas for public meetings scheduled for Tuesday show plans for at least eight state parks scattered from South Florida to the Panhandle.
Will golf courses and pickleball courts be built in Florida’s state parks in the future? What you should know.
Which state parks in Florida would be affected?
The press release was virtually lacking in details about which state parks in Florida would be affected by these changes. However, a look at the FDEP’s public notices calendar lists meetings scheduled for Tuesday at eight state parks. Those eight parks include:
Proposed public golf area at Jonathan Dickinson State Park
According to the FDEP agenda for Jonathan Dickinson State Park, officials want to use existing developed land and adjacent plateaus to build public golf courses and related facilities.
Proposed improvements include two separate outdoor recreation areas, one along the existing Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) corridor extending to U.S. Highway 1 and another in the northeast portion of the park.
Proposed Pickleball Courts at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park
The FDEP has proposed the design and construction of up to four pickleball courts at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park. According to the agenda, the courts would be built in the Northend Beach Access area, where they would be easily accessible and close to ancillary facilities.
Disc golf and pickleball courts planned at Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park has two proposals: building up to four pickleball courts and possibly a disc golf course.
The pickleball courts would be constructed within or immediately adjacent to the existing pool and bathhouse complex area, in reasonable proximity to day and overnight guests.
It is recommended that the disc golf course be located in the wet hammock south of the pool complex and that scenic trails be provided through this part of the park.
Additional cabins or glamping, pickleball courts and disc golf course planned at Oleta River State Park
The Florida Department of Environmental Conservation is proposing an expansion of the Oleta River State Park cabin area to include up to 10 cabins in the area directly south of the existing one. To expand and diversify the options, an alternative proposal to include “glamping” sites has also been made.
Additionally, up to four pickleball courts are planned in the open space on the north side of the concession building and outdoor center.
Finally, a disc golf course was proposed in the northern day-use area of the park, which is southwest of the entrance station. This part of the park originally had Australian pines, but the agenda called for them to be removed. The disc golf course would require a restroom and additional parking.
Pickleball courts proposed at Honeymoon Island State Park
Plans are in place to build up to four pickleball courts at Honeymoon Island State Park. The proposed site is adjacent to the upper portion of the park’s South Beach Access area, where existing amenities and ample parking complement and support the proposal.
Camp Lodge, pickleball courts and disc golf course are planned in Anastasia State Park
The DEP has proposed the construction of a park lodge with a capacity of up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park. The lodge would be built in the southern part of the park near the beach access area. The approximate location is east of the campground and south of the beach access parking lot, where an extraction pit was dug prior to park takeover.
Additionally, up to four pickleball courts and a disc golf course were proposed in the general area east of the main park entrance, adjacent to the north side of the Sal Run Use Area. Existing parking in the area would support the proposal, but could be expanded if needed.
Expansion of cabin or glamping sites planned at Camp Helen State Park
There are two competing proposals for new cabins or new “glamping” sites at Camp Helen State Park. Under the first proposal, up to 10 cabins would be built in the northwest part of the park, north of U.S. Highway 98. The cabins would be built inside the Lake Powell shore to protect the lakeshore landscape while still being within easy walking distance of the lakeshore.
Alternatively, the second proposal calls for the construction of a loop with up to 10 glamping sites with water and electricity. The site would be near the existing bathhouse and slightly away from Lake Powell, serving as an ecological buffer to the coastal dune lake. The proposal also calls for the creation of walking paths to the lakeshore.
New cabins, pickleball courts, disc golf course and more parking planned for Grayton Beach State Park
The state’s proposal for Grayton Beach State Park includes new cabins, pickleball courts, a disc golf course and additional parking. Up to 10 cabins would be built on the footprint of the existing cabin area in the park’s West Tract, south of County Road 30A. The facility would include a new restroom.
The proposal also calls for the construction of up to four pickleball courts and a disc golf course inside the East Tract. The pickleball courts would be located just north of the campground access road, while the disc golf course would occupy a scenic spot further north, along both sides of the park access road.
The improvements would require additional parking spaces, which would be constructed near or adjacent to the existing facilities.
New parking garage, pickleball courts and disc golf course planned at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park
Plans for Topsail Hill Preserve State Park include two alternative concepts for new accommodations, as well as the construction of pickleball courts and a disc golf facility.
The first accommodation plan calls for up to 350 rooms to the southwest of the existing campground. The second plan would require a major redevelopment of the campground, the original cabin and bungalow area and the ancillary area. While it would still need to be built within the existing footprint, it would allow for landscape enhancement and better separation of different types of recreational uses and structures.
The proposal also calls for the construction of up to four pickleball courts in the ruderal area southeast of the entrance station. A disc golf course is proposed in an unused area south of the parking cabins.
