Pickleball? Disc golf? A lodge? What does Florida have in mind for Emerald Coast state parks?

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, three state parks along the Emerald Coast could undergo major changes.

On Monday, the state DEP unveiled the 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative , which proposes expanding public access, increasing outdoor activities and providing new lodging options across several state parks in our area, including Camp Helen State Park in Bay County and Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach State Parks in Walton County.

Here is what you need to know:

What's coming to Camp Helen State Park?

The state DEP introduced two proposals that will shape the future of Camp Helen State Park.

The first includes approximately 10 cabins that would be located in the park's northwest area, north of U.S. 98. These cabins would be set on the interior of the Lake Powell shoreline to preserve the lakeside scenery while still being within walking distance of the lakefront, according to a document provided by the state.

The second option would be constructing a loop of 10 "glamping" sites with water and electrical utilities. The proposed loop would be near the existing bathhouse and set back from Lake Powell, as the lake would serve as an environmental buffer to the coastal dune lake. The proposal also includes installing paths to the lakeshore.

What's coming to Grayton Beach State Park?

According to the state proposal , Grayton Beach State Park could see approximately 10 new cabins and a new restroom being built within the footprint of the existing cabin area at the western end of the park, south of County Road 30A.

Also part of the plan: four pickleball courts and a disc golf course in the interior of the East Tract. The courts would be north of the campground entrance road, with the disc golf course occupying scenic space farther north along either side of the park entrance road.

Additional parking for the new amenities close to existing parking facilities would be needed.

What's coming to Topsail Hill Preserve State Park?

State proposals for Topsail include two options for new lodging and construction of pickleball courts and a disc golf course.

The first plan involves adding approximately 350 rooms southwest of the existing camping location. The second plan requires a substantial redesign of the campground, the original cabin and the bungalow area, which would be built within the existing footprint. This would allow for landscape beautification efforts and an enhanced separation of distinct types of recreation and structures.

The proposal includes adding four pickleball courts in the ruderal area southeast of the entrance station. The disc golf course would be in an underutilized area south of the park cabins.

When will there be public hearings on these proposals?

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold two special meetings, during which residents will be able to speak on the proposed park changes.

For Walton County residents, the first public hearing will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Watercolor Inn & Resort, 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach.

For Bay County residents, a public hearing is set for Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Lyndell Conference Center, 423 Lyndell Lane, Panama City Beach.

This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Pickleball? Disc golf? A lodge? What does Florida have in mind for Emerald Coast state parks?