Photo: CBS 12
Florida's Department of Environmental Protection is unveiling its "Great Outdoors Initiative," saying it hopes to enhance public access to state parks and boost the economy.
But residents in Hobe Sound are railing against the plan to build three golf courses inside Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
“The idea that we’d be willing to destroy a critical habitat for threatened species like the scrub jay or the gopher tortoise for another golf course I think is infuriating to a lot of us,” said Jessica Natham, a frequent visitor of the park.
Natham tells CBS 12 News that she's started an online campaign to fight against the plans and has 17,000 followers on Facebook.
The community will have an opportunity to attend a public meeting in Stuart next Tuesday. But it's at 3 p.m., during a work day, and will be capped at the first 150 people.
The state has targeted eight other state parks for similar projects:
Hillsborough River State Park in Tampa
Honeymoon Island State Park in Clearwater
Oleta River State Park in Miami
Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park in Ft. Lauderdale
Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine
Camp Helen State Park in Panama City Beach
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park and Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach