BACK IN 2011, then-state Rep. Patrick Rooney (R-West Palm Beach) introduced a bill to put Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses in five state parks, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park in southern Martin County. Rooney withdrew the bill three days later because of swift and loud public opposition.
This summer, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection quietly drafted plans for three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson, part of a wider proposal to bring golf, pickleball and hotels to nine state parks. Those planes, made public Aug. 20 because of a state whistleblower, were withdrawn seven days later because of widespread opposition.
That’s two attempts in 14 years to add golf courses to JD State Park, an equation not lost in the minds of thousands of frustrated park users who, after killing the latest plan with a robust grassroots movement, are now focusing on what needs to be done to prevent another golf course proposal.
Here's a look at options under consideration to bolster protections at the popular 10,500-acre park known for, among other precious natural resources, the Loxahatchee River, Florida's first federally designated wild and scenic river.
Jonathan Dickinson National Park
On Aug. 25, Jupiter Island Mayor Penelope Townsend sent a letter to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) asking whether it’s time to consider making Jonathan Dickinson a national park, a move that requires an act of Congress.
"(G)iven the fact that this is the second time within 15 years that golf courses have been proposed inside a state park here in Martin County, the Town of Jupiter Island kindly requests that your office explore any possibility of Jonathan Dickinson State Park transitioning to become Jonathan Dickinson National Park, given its federally protected endangered and threatened species, vast wetlands, rare coastal scrub habitat, and much more,’’ Townsend, whose oceanfront town is just east of the park, said in the letter.
“It is clear that JDSP is under routine threat, due to a variety of factors,’’ she wrote.
The country’s 63 national parks benefit from strict federal protections and contain some of the best-known natural attractions in the United States. Three are in Florida: Everglades, Biscayne and Dry Tortugas.
Establishing a Jonathan Dickinson National Park, with strict federal protections, might sound like an almost perfect solution to preventing future plans for golf courses or other development. But that idea isn’t gaining much traction.
While "national park" status is prestigious, it could bring unintended consequences that change the park experience for visitors.
For example, a change in management authority could result in a loss of institutional knowledge from the park staffers who have been working there for decades. And because national parks tend to limit uses within their boundaries, existing recreation amenities like JD State Park’s popular mountain bike trails could be prohibited.
“While I think Jupiter Island residents had the best intentions, this is not the solution that many in the community here and statewide would support,’’ said Casey Darling Kniffin, conservation policy director for the Florida Wildlife Federation.
And for pet owners, national parks have strict limitations, rarely allowing leashed dogs on trails outside campgrounds. State parks, including Jonathan Dickinson, are much more dog friendly.
“Changing Jonathan Dickinson State Park to a National Park would be a Band-Aid,’’ said Hobe Sound resident Benji Studt, a conservation biologist who helped fight the latest plan by posting fact-checking videos questioning the merits of the state’s proposal.
“It would do nothing to address the larger problem that has just been highlighted and would actually decrease access for the local community of park users,’’ he said.
Just follow existing policies
That “larger problem” is the fact that a vetting process already exists for proposals to develop state parks, through individual park unit management plans. Except in this case, opponents say, that process was circumvented by state leaders.
“I know many Floridians are concerned that we need tighter laws, and there is certainly room for policy improvement, but we have current protective statutes that were just not followed in this situation,’’ said Darling Kniffin.
The controversial development plans for the nine state parks, outlined in the state’s so-called Great Outdoors Initiative, were quashed only because of a DEP whistleblower, who was fired after leaking a draft of the proposal, which was first confirmed Aug. 20 in the Tampa Bay Times.
“If our state leaders would act transparently and follow the process in place, then I think our cherished park lands can be protected,’’ said Eve Samples, a Martin County resident who is executive director of the respected nonprofit Friends of the Everglades.
Enact tougher legislation
Still, many residents and park users are frustrated with what seems to them like a constant battle to fend off state-sponsored attempts to add golf courses.
They feel the only solution is to enact laws bolstering park protections.
“The recent assault on the mission of the (state) parks service is a clear indication that we need to pass legislation that reiterates in law the state’s commitment to that mission and clearly defines exactly what uses are permitted in our state parks,’’ said Studt.
State Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), in response to public outcry over the state’s golf course plan for Jonathan Dickinson State Park, said she plans to file a bill to protect state parks when the 2025 Legislature convenes March 4. Her website includes a link to sign a petition to support the bill.
"My bill will protect Jonathan Dickinson and all our natural treasures from misguided ideas like this going forward," she said in a news release late last month.
Conservation easement
But laws can be changed. A better option might be a third-party conservation easement, said former Palm Beach County Commissioner Karen Marcus, founder and president of the nonprofit Sustainable Palm Beach County.
A conversation easement is a voluntary legal agreement that protects the natural resources of a parcel of land by permanently restricting any future development on it. The easement is recorded with the property's deed and transfers to all future landowners.
John D. MacArthur Beach State Park in North Palm Beach, the only state park in Palm Beach County, came into the state park system in 1980 with a conservation easement held by the MacArthur Foundation. That easement, which ensures no development on the land in perpetuity, is now controlled by the village of North Palm Beach.
For Jonathan Dickinson State Park to get that protection, the state would have to be willing to enter into an agreement with a third-party land trust. The trust would oversee the conservation easement and pay for a staff and an attorney to manage it.
“I know Sen. Harrell would like to do some legislation. That’s great, but legislation can get changed in 10 years, as we all know,’’ said Marcus, who sat on the conservation board that oversaw the MacArthur Beach State Park easement before North Palm Beach took it over a few years ago.
“That’s why third party conservation easements are probably the safer route to go instead of us having to keep fighting this every 10 years,’’ she said.
Marcus, a Republican who served on the county commission from 1984-2012, said she has reached out to Harrell to discuss the conservation easement approach.
“I’m trying to take all this energy that’s out there about protecting the park and channeling it. This is your best protection,’’ she said.
‘Something must be done differently’
Park supporters declared victory when the DEP withdrew its plans late last month, but they also noted that DeSantis has only promised no changes to state parks for the rest of the year while DEP officials “go back to the drawing board.’’
“Now is the time to seize momentum,’’ Studt said at a letter-writing rally Sept. 1 in Palm Beach Gardens where more than 40 people wrote to state and federal elected officials requesting park protections.
“We have to demand that legislation is created that will protect our state parks from future attacks like this one and legislation that clearly defines and identifies what activities and support facilities are resource-based and are appropriate for these lands,’’ he said.
Any new legislation, he said, should include adequate money earmarked for park maintenance and the restoration of deteriorating park facilities, like the shuttered Hobe Mountain observation tower that the state had targeted to be razed to make room for golf courses in Jonathan Dickinson State Park.
Studt said Harrell deserves credit for her pledge to introduce the bill, but he said the community should be involved.
“We want a seat at the table when she does put that legislation forward, and we are going to be watching to make sure that that legislation does happen,’’ he said.
“Since we apparently need to say this louder every single time this happens, I think we should all be sure that Tallahassee hears us when we say, ‘Keep your hands off our public lands.’’’
While the controversy has raised public awareness about Florida’s wild public lands, it’s also underscored a critical need for more protections at JD State Park, said Deb Drum, a former Martin County ecosystems manager who is now director of Palm Beach County’s Environmental Resources Management Department.
“I really do believe something must be done differently than how it’s been done,’’ she said.
“The resources of our state parks are becoming more unique and rare the more we develop out Florida. Doubling down on the protections beyond state park status, whether that’s a national park or some other way, regardless of what the approach ends up being, it’s an important next step.’’
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About the author
Joe Capozzi is an award-winning reporter based in Lake Worth Beach. He spent more than 30 years writing for newspapers, mostly at The Palm Beach Post, where he wrote about the opioid scourge, invasive pythons, the birth of the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and Palm Beach County government. For 15 years, he covered the Miami Marlins baseball team. Joe left The Post in December 2020. View all posts by Joe Capozzi.