Florida state parks face $759 million backlog of needed repairs, state report finds

Aging visitor centers. Outdated septic tanks. A lack of accessible sidewalks and ramps.Despite welcoming millions of visitors last year, Florida’s state park system has a nearly $759 million backlog of repairs to maintain and enhance Floridians’ access to outdoor spaces. That’s according to a new state report, released Monday, that details funding required over the next decade to bolster the quality of Florida’s 175 parks, the health of their ecosystems and the public’s ability to enjoy them. Longtime Florida conservation experts say the report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection paints an urgent picture of the financial need that lawmakers must now consider if they are to prioritize parks, from the cypress swamps of Highlands Hammock State Park to the white coastal beaches of Honeymoon Island. “Our state parks are being shortchanged,” said Eric Draper, who reviewed a copy of the report and served as the director of Florida’s state parks under Gov. Ron DeSantis until he retired in 2021. The report “shows a serious shortfall and reveals that the Legislature is underfunding our award-winning state parks,” Draper said in a statement. “The estimated repairs require at least $75 million a year.” That would be a major increase compared to the funding allocated in recent years to address aging park infrastructure across a system that includes nearly 850 historic sites, more than 500 pavilions, 90,000 feet of boardwalks and 3,300 campsites.This year, for instance, the Florida Legislature approved $15 million for state park facility improvements — far less than the amount underscored in the report, according to budget documents.The money alone needed to make parks more accessible to people using wheelchairs, mobility devices or strollers is an estimated $20.3 million over the next decade, according to the report.That funding to improve compliance under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act would go toward replacing sidewalks and ramps, renovating trails, and upgrading restrooms to improve access, the report states. Beyond improving accessibility, here’s how the rest of the $759 million needed to repair aging parks would be spent: - About two-thirds is needed for repairing visitor centers, cabins, pavilions and restrooms. That chunk of money would also be spent on repairing boardwalks and fences, and improving plumbing, electric, and heating and air conditioning systems. - Roughly 10% would go toward replacing and upgrading wastewater infrastructure, stabilizing shorelines and connecting outdated septic to sewer systems. - About 23% of the money would go toward repaving some of the 3,234 miles of roads running through Florida parks.While the report details specific dollar amounts for improvements, it does not provide a detailed list of the parks in most dire need of funding.It does, however, provide a glimpse into how much is spent repairing old facilities over the course of a year. In the budget year ending in 2024, the parks program spent nearly $59 million on maintenance, the report shows.Beyond the to-do list of repairs, park staff say nearly $1.4 billion is needed over future years to build new visitor facilities and other amenities that balance the influx of visitors with the imperiled habitats they’re coming to appreciate.The report details new projects across each specific park, including staff housing at Alafia River, a boat ramp at Cockroach Bay and cabins at Fanning Springs, among dozens of other future additions.The 42-page report detailing needed repairs was required under the State Park Preservation Act, which became law in May as a response to the widespread backlash against the DeSantis administration’s scuttled plans to build hotels and golf courses on protected park land. Those plans were first reported by the Tampa Bay Times.Sen. Gayle Harrell, a Stuart Republican who sponsored the legislation, said the report released Monday is an important first step toward fully funding the outdated infrastructure at Florida parks.“I’m delighted to have it. I’m glad we have some real figures now,” Harrell said in a phone interview.“This gives us the basis to start planning and putting resources into our parks,” she said. “It’s a first step to making sure our parks remain the best in the country, and it gives us a starting point.”

Regions

Topics

Featured

Latest News

Most Read in News

Like This

Florida state parks face $759 million backlog of needed repairs, state report finds

Join the Conversation

MORE FOR YOU

Featured

Latest News

Most Read in News

Like This

Florida state parks face $759 million backlog of needed repairs, state report finds

Join the Conversation

MORE FOR YOU

ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SUBSCRIBERS