What a fascinating and quickly evolving situation to observe. Given the available details of the proposal, I'm not surprised at the outcome, but as an outdoors enthusiast, avid golfer and having worked in public policy/public administration for over two decades I do believe this really highlights how much of a lightning rod golf development can still be in a community and illustrates the delicate/precarious nature of government funded golf. Separately, and not to be too political, it will also likely be fodder for general government distrust and arguments over unchecked authority.
I could spend hours discussing/debating the merits and philosophies of government (at any level) getting involved in the golf course business; and the truth is that there is never any universally correct answer...context matters and what does make sense in one situation could be an awful decision in another. While this project was more "uncovered" than promoted, it is clear that the state missed the key "read the room" step in gauging public support.
I do hope, though, that this situation doesn't permanently stain the perception of publicly funded golf for the rest of the state of Florida; there is likely more opportunity there for a formula that works than many other places.
-Keith
My background in public administration and golf sounds similar to yours
To me, this is very simple - golf courses don’t belong in a FL state park
Ever since purchasing my second home in Palm Beach county 11 years ago, I have learned how the locals and State law protect environment.
Whether it’s staying clear of turtle nesting areas on beaches, respecting mangrove and coral reefs when taking my jet ski out in Key West. watching out for manatee when boating by strictly observing waterway, speed limits, FL is an environmentally friendly State
FL State parks are forever wild areas protected from development and that’s the way it should remain. To the vast majority of Floridians, there is no debate or multiple sides or other points of view. It’s the environment.
McArthur State park is the FL park closest to my home. There is little to do in there other than take a healthy hike, or perhaps rent a kayak or walk along the beach or in an amongst the mangrove. Floridians love that as do I
Mike, thanks for the response; yes, I have great familiarity with Floridians respect for the environment. I spent a decade living and practicing the the single most environmentally conscious community in the state and agree with what you wrote.
With that said, I will play devil's advocate on one item:
If the state so wished, golf courses absolutely do have a potential place in the State Park System. The mission of Florida State Parks is, "To provide resource-based
recreation while preserving, interpreting and restoring natural and cultural resources". I'm not saying it is a good idea (or good policy...lots of questions to be asked on this front), but it does fall squarely within the scope of the State Park Service.
The proposal for Jonathan Dickinson was a bad one all around. The park is extremely popular, protects some of the last undeveloped/lightly developed land in the immediate area, and despite its quality as grounds for golf, choosing to specifically site the course(s) over an ecosystem (interior dune/scrub) that exists in such scarcity was a losing proposition. Even if the locals hadn't offered such outcry, any number of conservation groups or NFP's would have gotten it killed as well.
-Keith