More than two years ago, Florida officials — citing safety reasons — closed an iconic Hobe Sound observation tower, which local leaders would like repaired or rebuilt.
But few state officials — including lame-duck Gov. Ron DeSantis — have shown interest making money available for that or other improvements in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, local leaders told TCPalm.
“He has not been a friend to our park,” Jim Howe, president of the Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park, said of DeSantis.
DeSantis on June 29 vetoed a line in next year’s state budget that would have sent $2 million to Jonathan Dickinson State Park for improvements such as repair or replacement of the Hobe Mountain Observation Tower, a 58-year-old structure that has been a draw for visitors.
The recent loss of state money follows a 2024 controversy over whether three golf courses would be built in Jonathan Dickinson and hotels in others state parks. Hundreds objected to the idea of golf courses, and political parties supported Senate Bill 80/House Bill 209 that keep golf courses out of state parks.
Iconic tower
“The tower to me is incredibly important and something that is really missed by Hobe Sound residents and really all of Martin County residents,” County Commissioner Blake Capps said. “The tower is an iconic symbol in Hobe Sound.”
Residents miss climbing the tower to watch sunsets to the west and see the ocean to the east, said Capps.
“It almost looks like the Serengeti or something in Africa when you’re looking to the west,” Capps said. “The only thing that’s missing is zebras and lions.”
No state money
Capps — who can only advocate for money and improvements — said a visit several months ago to officials at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the iconic park tower revealed “that resources were not really available to do anything about it at that time.
“It just doesn’t seem we’re able to get the state government to move on it,” he said.
So Capps was excited to learn state Rep. John Snyder, R-Palm City, had gotten $2 million in next year’s state budget for improvements to the park. Nevertheless, DeSantis wielded his line-item veto power, and money for the tower and improvements elsewhere in Jonathan Dickinson bit the dust.
Capps stressed he would have liked at least some of the $2 million spent toward a new or renovated park tower, which state officials have deemed unsafe and have kept closed since April 2024.
DeSantis’ veto, Snyder said, “doesn’t mean we’re not going to come back and try again next year.”
“We’ll work with Rep. Snyder,” said Capps.
Capps is hopeful residents, too, will voice support for the tower.
When will it be rebuilt?
Howe is in favor of a rebuilt Hobe Mountain Observation Tower, he said. The cost of a replacement and the time to build it need to be determined.
Yet, the state has been shorting money to parks, he said.
“I’m hopeful we can move forward from the current impasse and get it done,” Howe said. “I’ve seen enough waiting.”
Now 68, Howe wonders, “Am I going to get to stand up there” on a new tower?
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Will iconic Florida tower be repaired, replaced? It’s a matter of money
Reporting by Keith Burbank, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
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