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The proposed plans for Anastasia State Park are leaving more questions than answers. Here’s what we asked the state

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP) has proposed dramatic plans to change Anastasia State Park and News4JAX has been trying to find out where all of this started.

RELATED: Proposed lodge, pickleball courts at Anastasia State Park spark community outrage amid ‘Great Outdoors’ initiative

There has been a public outcry since FLDEP revealed plans to develop a 350-room lodge, disc golf course, pickleball courts, and more at the park.

St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell said he was blindsided by the news.

“Why is this coming now, and why wasn’t anybody informed on it?” Rumrell asked last week.

The St. Johns County Commissioners put out a statement saying they were never contacted and the project is contrary to the county board’s vision.

RELATED: ‘Construction and destruction’: More than 100 protesters voice opposition to proposed changes at Anastasia State Park

On Friday, News4JAX emailed FLDEP asking about the “Great Outdoors Initiative” and if there had been any public meetings before the plans were released.

News4JAX never got a response to that question.

On Monday morning, News4JAX followed up and asked a few more questions:

  • If the plan were to move forward, how would the state decide who would construct the hotel?
  • How long were these proposals worked on before being released to the public last week?
  • Where and to whom would the generated revenue go if the new park plans were to go through?

News4JAX also put in a records request with DEP that could reveal more about the plans and who’s behind them and is waiting to receive them.

St. Augustine residents opposed to the development plan met at Spinster Abbotts on Monday from 6-9 p.m. to write letters to lawmakers against the plan.

St. Augustine community plans to write letters to officials about proposed plans for Anastasia State Park (WJXT)

Next week, everyone opposed will have the chance to have their voices heard in a public meeting in downtown St. Augustine.

While FLDEP has not responded to many of our questions, it did address those who have taken issue with the plan on “X.”

In a social media post on Friday, FLDEP appeared to defend the plan for Anastasia State Park, saying building a new park lodge “will provide a new community space, and offer an opportunity to rehabilitate a borrow pit left over from a former road construction project before the park was acquired.”

FLDEP also made comparisons to other parks with lodges like the much larger Zion National Park in Utah and Yosemite National Park in California.

In an email to News4JAX, FLDEP did address a group that recently withdrew its plan to build a golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park near West Palm Beach.

“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection appreciates the Tuskegee Dunes Foundation’s good-faith proposal for a public golf course at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. While they are withdrawing their proposal, the Foundation worked with the state to pursue a project that would have created a public, world class golf course for all, while supporting veterans, first responders and their families. Their plan to honor the Tuskegee Airmen was noble,” a FLDEP spokesperson said. “We appreciate their decision to pursue projects outside of the park and will continue to support the Foundation’s mission. This project will be removed from agency review.”


About the Author
John Asebes headshot

John anchors at 9 a.m. on The Morning Show with Melanie Lawson and then jumps back into reporter mode after the show with the rest of the incredibly talented journalists at News4JAX.

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