SJC Opposes Proposed Development of Anastasia State Park
- 28 August 2024
- Category: SJC News District 2
- Tags: 2024
Update: At a press conference in Polk County on Aug. 28, Gov. DeSantis stated the following to reporters when asked about the proposed plans outlined in the FDEP’s Great Outdoors Initiative, which included Anastasia State Park: “It was not approved by me, I never saw that. They’re going back to the drawing board. I’d rather not spend any money on this.”
On Wednesday, Aug. 28, St. Johns County joined Northeast Florida leaders in a press conference in response to the recent proposed development of Anastasia State Park. The County’s Office of Public Affairs produced a video recap of the event.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recently proposed constructing a 350-room lodge in Anastasia State Park, which would be the second-largest hotel in St. Johns County. The FDEP also proposed adding pickleball courts, disc golf courses, and golf courses.
On Aug. 25, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Chair Sarah Arnold provided the following statement, emphasizing grave concern and outrage regarding the proposed project:
“The State of Florida has not contacted St. Johns County with any details of this project. Parks are for people and not about projects for profit. Our Board of County Commissioners has been consistent in our views on natural resource conservation and protection. This proposed project is absolutely contrary to our County Board’s vision and priorities. As a Board, we will seriously address this proposed project with all available recourse. Anastasia State Park is a state-owned recreation area inside the city limits of the City of St. Augustine. It may involve a review by its staff and its City Commission.”
The press conference was held at Embassy Suites in St. Augustine Beach, which overlooks Anastasia State Park. It included State Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, St. Johns County District 2 Commissioner Sarah Arnold, City of St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell, City of Jacksonville District 13 Councilman Rory Diamond, and other local elected leaders opposed to the proposed project.