TALLAHASSEE, Florida — In a rare show of bipartisan resistance, the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis is running into opposition over a newly-announced plan to add golf courses and lodging to several renowned Florida parks. The proposal quickly triggered criticism not just from environmental groups but also from leading Republican political figures, including Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and Rep.
. The proposal from the Department of Environmental Protection, dubbed the “ ,” would add pickleball courts, golf courses and additional cabins and lodges at state parks and beaches across the state. Simpson said he had not even heard about the proposal until media outlets such as that will be the subject of public hearings next week.
The state announced the meetings Tuesday. “Public lands should be enjoyed and protected, but we have to be really careful when we talk about building infrastructure on state parks,” Simpson said in a statement. “Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should do it.
” DeSantis has not commented publicly on the initiative. Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s press secretary, said in an email that the state's department of environmental protection and parks division are “looking at recommendations for ways to enhance Florida’s parks to make them more visitor-friendly.” He said the initial proposals were based on public input and "may not all be approved," and final decisions would.