St. Augustine residents rally against states Great Outdoor Initiative to protect Anastasia State Park [Video]

From signs for public meetings to postcards for lawmakers and the Governor’s Office, many community members came out to Spinster Abbot’s in St. Augustine against the state’s ‘Great Outdoor Initiative.’

READ: St. Augustine community protests against proposed major land development at Anastasia State Park

The initiative from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposal includes adding amenities like resort-style hotels, golfing, pickleball courts, and disc golf courses to nine state parks, including Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine.

Anastasia Conceptual Land Use Map by ActionNewsJax on Scribd

“We need to save our parks,” Sandy Lenney said.

The State’s plan for the local state park includes four pickleball courts and to building a 350-room lodge on a piece of the park south of the main entrance road. That area is currently a “borrow pit” from before the park was acquired by the state.

Its development neighbors Sandy Lenney and Laura Smith don’t want to …