Draft Plans and Public Participation

The Office of Park Planning has developed an innovative approach to land planning for Florida State Parks – covering all units within a district through a consolidated process. The first districtwide plan is currently underway for the Northeast District. Since 2021, OPP has conducted field meetings and extensive writing and mapping, in close coordination with each of the major program areas of the DRP, for the district’s 45 parks and trails. In September and October 2023, draft materials were presented to the public through open-house meetings in 14 counties, giving diverse stakeholders opportunities to review proposals for resource management, interpretation, and infrastructure development. Following the open-house meetings, OPP has been conducting a series of five advisory group meetings organized according to regions – Suwannee River, North Florida Highlands, Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast, and the multi-use trail system. Along the way, OPP has been revising plans according to feedback and is preparing for a December 2023 submittal to the Division of State Lands and 2024 presentation to the Acquisition & Restoration Council. 

 

Among multiple benefits, this districtwide approach to planning has enhanced efficiency of production and provided a new comparative perspective between units – maximizing our considerations of both common and unique characteristics and needs. 

 

Beginning in 2024, OPP will begin the planning process for all units of the Southwest District.