A mysterious foundation called Tuskegee Dunes, whose Florida lobbyists include a former secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, says it is behind the controversial proposed golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park – and that it is now pulling the plug on the plan.
A spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection confirmed late Sunday that the foundation withdrew its application for the golf course proposal.
The Delaware-registered foundation said in a statement sent to The Palm Beach Post late Friday that the golf courses and other facilities would have told the “inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II.”
But facing extreme opposition from park fans, lawmakers and environmental organizations, it backpedaled on the project Sunday, sending a note to media representatives and through political commentator Daniel Bongino that it was no longer pursuing the proposal.
“Serving God and Country is our daily goal,” said the statement, which Bongino posted on Facebook. “That was the spirit for the idea to bring world class public golf to south east Florida … We have received clear feedback that Jonathan Dickinson State Park is not the right location. We did not understand the local community landscape and appreciate the clarity. We will not pursue building in the beloved Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
It was the latest twist in a saga that began with documents being leaked to environmentalists a week ago showing plans for the installation of three public golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson as part of the state’s 2024-2025 Great Outdoors Initiative.
The fervor of discontent that followed led to the state postponing public meetings that were scheduled for Tuesday, and a multitude of politicians decrying what many said they knew nothing about. U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City, said he couldn’t find anyone with knowledge of the courses and will use Florida’s Sunshine Law to get more information on the “proposed plan to bulldoze Jonathan Dickinson State Park.”
“Our community deserves answers,” Mast said Saturday.
A map released by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection shows the proposed areas of Jonathan Dickinson State Park that were considered for conversion into golf courses. (Florida Department of Environmental Protection)
But Sunday’s statement from Tuskegee Dunes Foundation about pulling out…
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