Florida Moving to Privatize State Parks
By Rocky Thompson on July 1st, 2011
The political machine running through Florida is making moves to privatize more than 50 state parks allowing corporations to develop the camping areas and add RV sites, allegedly. If it goes through, you can count on it happening in other states with similarly inclined governments — this is a new theory I’ve developed that I’m calling “The Domino Theory.” Of the 50 state parks that would be affected, The Times gives an example of one plan that calls for the construction of 45 new campsites on 17.5 acres at Honeymoon Island. According to the same article, most of the moves in this push for park privatization have been conducted outside the public’s view. I can’t wait to get new window stickers for all 50 of what were formerly state parks.
Tags: Camping, florida, state parks
Mixed feelings on this. Private companies really do run things better but there’s a very real risk of our outdoor parks becoming more Disney. One report I read called for a condo and golf course in one of the state parks. Yeah, that’s b.s. Honeymoon island is actually right near us and is absolutely beautiful but its very crowded. If you could camp there, that might actually be cool (primitive sites not tons of RV sites). During the day it gets pretty busy but if you were there in the evening it’d be awesome. Fort De Soto (a little south of Honeymoon) is one of the coolest places to camp in the area. They don’t have RV spots though. A ton of RV spots that aren’t hidden… that wouldn’t be very cool.