By Merrilee Gasser, The Center Square
In Summary:
A comprehensive review by Florida’s Division of Recreation and Parks reveals that nearly $750 million in repairs and maintenance is needed to address aging facilities, safety upgrades, water quality improvements, and accessibility across the state park system. The report outlines an additional $1.39 billion in long-term development projects, including new campgrounds, visitor centers, bridges, boardwalks, and expanded recreation amenities.
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Florida’s 175 state parks need nearly $759 million worth of repairs, maintenance, and upgrades, a new report shows.
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The bulk of that is needed to fix aging infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility, and modernize outdated facilities like restrooms, trails, utilities, and visitor centers, according to the report, issued this week by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
It said $499.1 million would be required to complete all identified repair and maintenance projects by 2035. Water quality improvements would cost an estimated $75.9 million, and accessibility upgrades would cost about $20.3 million. Another $174.7 million is needed for road paving and stabilization projects, according to the report.
It would take an additional $1.39 billion to cover long-term plans to improve the parks, the state’s Division of Recreation and Parks found. The plans include new construction and development projects like glamping and camping sites, restrooms, visitor centers, overlooks, staff residences, pavilions, storage facilities, bridges, boardwalks, and more.
“These plans identify opportunities for new or expanded amenities, such as trails, campgrounds, interpretive facilities, and day-use areas, that are based on community needs, evolving recreation trends, and each park’s unique environmental characteristics,” the report said.
The report was required by the State Park Preservation Act, a new law that mandated a plan for deferred maintenance and repairs by 2035.
Over 28 million people visited the parks in fiscal year 2024-2025, bringing in over $75 million in revenue, the report said.
Park expenditures in fiscal year 2023-2024 totaled $178.9 million.
Key Points:
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Florida’s 175 state parks need $758.9 million in repairs, maintenance, and upgrades by 2035, according to a new DEP report.
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Major needs include aging infrastructure, water quality improvements, accessibility upgrades, road paving, and facility modernization.
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Long-term expansion plans would require an additional $1.39 billion to fund new campgrounds, visitor centers, bridges, boardwalks, and recreation amenities.
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The study was mandated by the State Park Preservation Act, which requires a detailed plan to address deferred maintenance.
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Florida parks attracted 28 million visitors in FY 2024–2025 and brought in more than $75 million in revenue, while expenditures totaled $178.9 million the previous year.
