Management Plans

The Florida Division of Recreation & Parks is administratively divided into five districts: Northwest (District 1), Northeast (District 2), Central (District 3), Southwest (District 4) and Southeast (District 5).

 

The Office of Park Planning has developed an innovative approach to conservation land planning for Florida state parks – covering all units within a district through a consolidated process. Among multiple benefits, the districtwide approach to planning enhances efficiency of production and provides a new comparative perspective between units – maximizing considerations of both common and unique characteristics and needs. 

 

The approach to districtwide management plans entails a hierarchy of documents, beginning with the Statewide Philosophy and Framework, which describes the mission, geographic scope, and core elements that apply to all Florida state parks. Districtwide plans are organized by geographic regions. Regional introductions identify respective units and their unique interpretive themes as well as commonalities. Under a regional section, each unit is embodied as a chapter, consisting of an introduction, resource management component, and land use component. Supporting details and data are provided in a set of district-level appendices.

 

Approved by the Acquisition and Restoration Council in June of 2024, the Northeast District was the first of the consolidated districtwide management plans to be completed. The Office of Park Planning is currently developing the Southwest District plan, with the public participation process taking place spring and summer of 2026. 

 

Units that have not yet been subject to the consolidated districtwide management planning process are listed by district with the month and year of the most recent plan approved by the Acquisition & Restoration Council (ARC).

 

For questions about the unit management plan process or the public participation schedule, please call 850-245-3051.