Thirty-two conservation organizations and coalitions, community groups,
outdoor recreation advocates, and businesses, respectfully urge legislation to
provide dedicated appropriations to address the growing maintenance backlog in
Florida’s award-winning state park system.
Florida’s beloved state parks are critical infrastructure supporting the state’s tourism
economy, drinking water, storm protection, wildlife, and public health, and yet the
current budget proposals fail to adequately meet the urgent repair needs within our state
parks. Florida’s state parks for years ranked among the best in the nation and are
essential economic engines for surrounding communities. But the system now faces a
substantial maintenance backlog. Deferred maintenance does not save money — it
multiplies costs. Repairs become replacements, facilities close, visitor experiences
decline, and local tourism economies suffer.
At the current $25 million in the House and Senate budgets, it would take 30 years to
accomplish the total amount of repairs recommended in the Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) report ($759 million) that was released last year; at $50
million in the Governor’s budget, it would take 15 years to accomplish that total amount
of repairs. Our state parks deserve better.
There is money at hand to spend on state park facility and accessibility improvements.
The statutorily uncommitted funds in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF) are
projected to be $824.7 million for the coming fiscal year (26-27); in fact the uncommitted
funding is going up by $30 million compared to the previous fiscal year. As such,
budgeting at least $100 million for state parks facility improvements, and $20 million
specifically for accessibility upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA), is entirely feasible.
We stand ready to work with legislative leaders to ensure Florida remains a place where
economic prosperity and natural resource protection advance together. A responsible
budget must protect both taxpayers and the state parks of which Floridians and visitors
alike are so enamored.