Florida state parks need $759M in repairs, report says

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Florida’s 175 state parks need nearly $759 million worth of repairs, maintenance and upgrades, a new report shows.

The bulk of that is needed to fix aging infrastructure, improve safety and accessibility and modernize outdated facilities like restrooms, trails, utilities and visitor centers, according to the report, issued this week by the Florida Department of Environmental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.