Community Corner

Honeymoon Island Camping Plan Inspires Royal Stewart Call to Arms

Residents prepare to argue against permitting RVs in Honeymoon Island State Park.

Some residents remember when the state put Honeymoon Island in its bull’s-eye 11 years ago.

Sally German, an 11-year resident of the 55-and-older community adjoining Honeymoon Island State Park, said she moved there from Pasco County because of the peace surrounding Honeymoon Island. Not long after she moved in, she entered her first battle to protect it.

“The first time they went after the camping and boat ramps together,” German said. “This time they split it. In five years, will they go for the boat ramps?”

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She expressed distrust in the timing of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s , which outlines plans to turn 17.5 acres of the beloved island into lots for overnight tent and RV camping.

The DEP announcement came a mere week ahead of to hear comment on the issue, scheduled a day after the July Fourth holiday weekend.

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“That’s why the call to arms has to be quick,” German said.

The DEP says the move is a response to a public demand for more camping.

“Currently 53 of Florida’s 160 state parks offer family camping. On many weekends and seasonally, all of these campgrounds are full,” the DEP Web site says.

But German and others at Royal Stewart Arms think the state wants to capitalize on Honeymoon’s popularity.

The park brought in about $2.2 million last year and operated on about $612,000. Residents say Honeymoon Island more than makes up for others, such as Big Shoals State Park in White Springs, which brought in $7,600 last year on an operating budget of about $91,000, or Ponce de Leon Springs Park, which brought in $43,000 last year on an operating budget of $94,500.

“They’re trying to get blood out of a turnip,” German said. “Build camping in state parks that aren’t profitable, and that would make them profitable.”

Royal Stewart Arms residents under the direction of retired U.S. Air Force Colonel George Nigro.

Less than 24 hours after signs went up calling for volunteers, about 40 Royal Stewart Arms residents and two from Fairway Estates gathered in the clubhouse on Saturday to craft opposition posters that they will bring to tonight’s public meeting at .

Other volunteers took on research responsibilities, learning as much of Honeymoon Island's history and environment as they can for voicing the most powerful and unified argument possible under the time constraints.

Last time, "we were not as well organized," German said.

“People are so impassioned about this,” Cyrilla Bolster said. She and her husband, Carey Bolster, both former teachers, organized the Royal Stewart Arms sign group.

“We believe in camping,” she said, explaining that many of the residents are outdoorsy types, Boy Scout leaders and avid campers. “But RVing is not camping.”

Upcoming meetings:

  1. July 5: for proposal and to hear comment on land management amendment for Honeymoon Island; , 330 Douglas Ave., Dunedin; 7 p.m.; arrive early for seating.
  2. July 6: Public meeting to listen as the Honeymoon Island Advisory Group reviews Tuesday's public comments on the land management amendment. While it is open to the public, absolutely no public comment will be heard; Rotary Centennial Nature Center, 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; arrive early for seating. Only 30 or so seats available. Gate fees will be lifted.

 

Editor's note: Dunedin Patch will be bringing you live updates from inside tonight's public meeting, starting at 7 p.m. Have questions for us? Join the conversation on Twitter by using the hash tag #honeymoon.


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