Florida governor says he ‘never saw’ controversial state parks proposal, claims info leaked to ‘left-wing group’

POLK COUNTY, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Wednesday at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Operations Center near Winter Haven, where he distanced himself from a controversial state-level proposal to make such changes to some state parks as adding golf, pickleball and lodging.

The governor was joined by Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain and 13th Judicial Circuit State Attorney Susan Lopez, among others, to hold an event that focused focused on fentanyl.

“We’re going to continue to do what’s right for the state of Florida. We understand that that law and order is the foundation of any type of success we can have as a local community, as a state and eventually as a country. So you can count on us to stand for law and order. You can count on us to stand for what’s right for the people of the state of Florida, and we will hold the bad guys accountable and bring them to justice,” DeSantis said.

The first question that DeSantis took from reporters concerned the state parks proposal, which the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced Aug. 19 as the official launch of the so-called 2024-25 “Great Outdoors Initiative.” The changes would impact nine state parks, bringing about lodges of up to 350 rooms and pickleball courts, as well as courses for golf and disc golf.

Under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida has significantly increased its investment in conserving its natural landscapes, acquiring over 260,000 acres, the majority of which are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. This cumulative investment represents nearly 20% of the total acres of lands currently part of the Florida State Park System.

In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling.

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Today’s announcement reinforces the DeSantis Administration’s record support for conserving our natural landscapes and commitment to ensuring every Floridian can visit and recreate at Florida’s state parks. This includes the 2023-24 Great Outdoors Initiative, which offered 50% discounts for Florida State Parks annual passes and Florida’s Freedom Summer Kickoff on Memorial Day, which provided all Floridians free entry into state parks.

DEP Announces 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative to Increase Public Access, Recreation and Lodging at Florida State Parks | Aug. 19, 2024 (excerpts)

Despite the announcement coming from the DEP, as well as how it repeatedly mentions DeSantis and his administration, the governor responded to the reporter’s question by saying he “never saw” the proposal, as well as claiming that it was “intentionally leaked out to a left-wing group to try to create a narrative.”

“So, this is something that was leaked. It was not approved by me. I never saw that, it is- they’re going back to the drawing board, talk to your local communities. Here’s the thing. I’d rather not spend any money on this, right? I mean, if people don’t want improvements, then don’t do it, and so that’ll be something that citizens could be able to do. They’re not doing anything this year. They’re going to go back and basically listen to folks. A lot of that stuff was just half-baked and it was not ready for prime time when it was- and it was intentionally leaked out to a left-wing group to try to create a narrative,” DeSantis said.

Without going to any greater detail regarding his claim that the announcement was an intentional leak, the governor said it would be an issue ultimately left to Floridians.

“People have requested improvements for different things, some of the campsites, all these things, like, look; as governor, I’m not refereeing how big this campsite is or that. I mean, it’s just not things that I’ve been getting involved in, but this was done intentionally, given to a very left-wing group to try to create a narrative that somehow, you know, the state parks’ going to become a big parking lot or something like that. That’s obviously a phony narrative and was never true to begin with. But nothing has been approved and they are going to go back and listen to folks, and as I said, as Governor, I am totally fine to just do nothing and do no improvements if that’s what the general public wants and that’s fine with me,” DeSantis said.

Ever since the state announced the latest iteration of the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” a great deal of pushback from the public has served as a vignette to said initiative’s slowing momentum.

DeSantis’ Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern earlier this week defended the proposal, according to the Associated Press.

“Teddy Roosevelt believed that public parks were for the benefit and enjoyment of the people, and we agree with him,” Redfern said in a statement. “But it’s high time we made public lands more accessible to the public.”

A slate of public hearings regarding the proposals, originally scheduled for Aug. 27, were pushed back to the week of Sept. 2, according to the DEP.

Watch the news conference again in the video player below or by clicking here.

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