Dozens protest proposed changes to Florida state parks

HONEYMOON ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — There was a second wave of protests against proposed changes to state parks all over Florida on Tuesday.

Two state parks in the Tampa Bay Area are on the list: Hillsborough River State Park and Honeymoon Island.

Dozens of people were out protesting Tuesday afternoon, each of them demanding that their state park stay preserved.

Person after person, sign after sign, all protesting the proposed changes to nine state parks in the state.

“I’ve lived here 35 years, I just finished doing a 5-mile walk, as you can tell. I do that because I love nature and I want to keep this park just the way it was meant to be,” said Kevin Reilly, a protestor.

The Department of Environmental Protection has proposed adding outdoor activities, like pickleball courts, paddling, disc golf, and more lodging and campsites.

“Florida has so few and disappearing outdoor wildlife spaces like this and I just find it egregious that they would plan to put unnecessary amenities in these sacred areas,” said protestor, Kirstine Betancourt.

“This is something that truly unites us as Floridians is our love for the outdoors, our love for our beaches and our wild Florida: our swamps, our rivers, our springs. We need to treasure that,” said Representative Lindsay Cross, who was amongst the crowd of protesters.

Not everyone is against the potential changes.

“If those things inspire people to get out of their house and get off devices and connect with people outdoors, I’m all for the change and amenities,” said Matthew McClellan, who is in support of the proposals.

Some people feel like these additions could draw even more people to the parks.

“The preserve is more of like a glass box that says break in case of emergency. I think we’re at that critical point in history where it’s time for us to protect ourselves from ourselves,” McClellan said.

Public meetings about the additions were planned for Tuesday at 3 p.m. but have been postponed. 8 On Your Side reached out to the Department of Environmental Protection for specific dates and times but has not gotten a response back.

The Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber said those meetings should be canceled and the proposals withdrawn, and that the plans pose a threat to the wildlife and environment.

“This is not only an environmental challenge for the state of Florida, these state parks are the reason Florida has a diverse offering to our residents and our visitors,” said Robin Miller, President and CEO.

The Chamber has created a petition that urges Florida residents to contact their local representatives to address any concerns about the proposed changes.

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