Florida state parks face $759 million backlog of needed repairs, state report finds

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By Max Chesnes, Tampa Bay Times

Aging visitor centers. Outdated septic tanks. A lack of accessible sidewalks and ramps.

Despite welcoming millions of visitors last year, Florida’s state park system has a nearly $759 million backlog of repairs to maintain and enhance Floridians’ access to outdoor spaces.

That’s according to a new state report, released Monday, that details funding required over the next decade to bolster the quality of Florida’s 175 parks, the health of their ecosystems and the public’s ability to enjoy them.

Longtime Florida conservation experts say the report from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection paints an urgent picture of the financial need that lawmakers must now consider if they are to prioritize park