Plans to build a 350-room lodge, pickleball courts and a disc golf course at Anastasis State Park have caused an uproar in the community, with many calling the development plan “unnecessary” and “misguided.”
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., with many calling the development plan “unnecessary” and “misguided.”at the Embassy Suites in St. Augustine Beach to speak out against the “Great Outdoors Initiative.”The Embassy Suits has 217 suites, compared to the 350 rooms planned for the lodge at Anastasia State Park .
Right now, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection only lists one other lodge at a state park,, just south of Tallahassee. It was built decades before the property was sold to the state. A better comparison size-wise is a 350-room lodge run by Hilton at Gulf State Park in Alabama .The FLDEP has defended the plan as a way to attract more people to the parks. According to the agency’s data, attendance at state parks has been relatively stable -- around 30 million visitors a year -- with a short dip during the pandemic before an increase in 2022.The economic impact hovers around $3 billion a year.
The state plans to hold public meetings on the changes next week but so far, it has not released any specifics.Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.
Florida Florida State Parks State Parks Development Politics
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Sound off: Thoughts on the proposed development plans for Anastasia State Park?Changes to the state park would include a lodge with up to 350 rooms, a disc golf course and pickleball courts.
Read more »
St. Augustine community gathers to write letters, organize against proposed plans for Anastasia State ParkMembers of the St. Augustine community aren’t giving up their fight against proposed plans to change the landscape of Anastasia State Park.
Read more »
Northeast Florida leaders speak out against Anastasia State Park development plansNortheast Florida leaders are taking a stand against plans to develop Anastasia State Park and eight other state parks around Florida.
Read more »
St. Augustine’s Anastasia State Park among 9 parks that could see big changesAccording to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine could get a lodge with up to 350 rooms, a disc golf course and pickleball courts.
Read more »
Community members plan peaceful protest to oppose Anastasia State Park proposed developmentA peaceful protest is taking place at Anastasia State Park to oppose the proposed development by the Department of Environmental Protection on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Read more »
Dozens of community members protest against proposed development at Anastasia State ParkA peaceful protest is taking place at Anastasia State Park to oppose the proposed development by the Department of Environmental Protection on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Read more »