Florida State Parks Protected From Harmful Commercial Development in Bipartisan Victory

In a move being celebrated across the state, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has pledged to sign into law the “State Park Preservation Act,” securing vital protections for Florida’s state parks. The legislation is specifically designed to shield these precious natural spaces from harmful commercial development. It was widely supported and passed unanimously by both the Florida House and Senate in April 2025 — but until recently, DeSantis had not indicated whether he would sign it.

Advocates are hailing the passage of this bill as a “rare, unanimous bipartisan win” for the environment and public access. This is being recognized as a major victory that will protect the diverse ecosystems found within Florida’s state parks.

The State Parks Preservation Act received widespread grassroots support from people and organizations across the state of Florida. Photo

Last August, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced a controversial initiative last August that would have funded increased development, including golf courses, within state parks. The new State Park Preservation Act signals an apparent course correction by the DeSantis administration: it explicitly prohibits certain types of commercial development within state parks, including facilities like golf courses, pickleball courts, ball fields, tennis courts, hotels, and other structures that could cause significant harm to natural resources or displace native ecosystems.

The bill mandates that state parks and preserves must be managed primarily for conservation-based recreational uses. These are defined as activities that do not degrade or displace native ecosystems, wildlife, or historical resources, such as hiking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, nature study, fishing, camping, and wildlife observation.

Beyond the outright ban on harmful development, HB 209 significantly enhances transparency and public involvement in park management. It requires public hearings for all updated land management plans, both for conservation and non-conservation lands. The expected effective date of the bill is June 1, 2025.

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