Gov. Ron DeSantis visits Manatee County to unveil neighborhood park named in his honor

Gov. Ron DeSantis joined supporters and government leaders Wednesday evening for the unveiling of a Manatee County park bearing his name.

After a politically charged survey last summer, voters chose to name a 17-acre park near Kinnan Elementary School after the Florida governor. The park features pickleball courts, a dog park and walking trails at 7510 Prospect Road.

“What an honor. What a great park,” DeSantis said.

The governor called the Sarasota-Bradenton area a “hot spot.”

“It’s a great place to live,” DeSantis said with a large U.S. flag billowing in the background. “It’s a great place to raise a family.”

About 150 people, including local politicians, county staff and DeSantis supporters attended the ceremony. The park is now open to the public.

“My wife and I will at some point turn our kids loose at this park in our travels. I can tell you they like playgrounds, they like a lot of stuff here,” DeSantis said. “Just as a dad I’m glad this honor is here for something so many families are going to be able to enjoy now and in the future.”

DeSantis Park opens in Manatee County

The decision to name the park after DeSantis, an incumbent politician, sparked controversy on the Manatee County Commission last year. Some commissioners said they would have preferred to name the park after the neighborhood or a local notable.

“It’s unusual that you have a sitting governor that has something named after him. Typically, it’s many years from now, right?” said Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who praised the governor’s actions on several issues including U.S.-Mexico border security and parental rights in school.

Other park name suggestions included “Snooty Park,” “Freedom Park” and “Prospect Park,” but nearly 100 people suggested naming the park after DeSantis.

DeSantis won after Commissioner Mike Rahn, who was a candidate at the time, led a coordinated effort inviting people to submit DeSantis’ name. Van Ostenbridge called it a “grassroots movement” at Wednesday’s ceremony.

Rahn also presented a plaque commending first lady Casey DeSantis for overcoming her battle with breast cancer. A park at Ron DeSantis Park also commemorates the governor’s wife.

A controversial naming competition

About 350 people submitted name recommendations, but the survey results released by the county removed any identifying information, making it impossible to tell how many votes came from local residents or whether anyone submitted multiple votes.

The county had an estimated population of 429,125 people in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Former Commissioner Misty Servia created the campaign hoping to engage residents in the area and “bring families together.”

Servia and the two other commissioners who ultimately voted against the name change, Republican Carol Whitmore and lone Democrat Reggie Bellamy, were voted out of office later that year as the board shifted further to the political right.

A handful of protesters also disagreed with the county’s decision to name the park after DeSantis. Members of the Women’s Voices of Southwest Florida group held signs and shouted from across the street, calling the event a political stunt.

“This is the swamp,” one sign read. “DeSantis is a coward. … Closed-door event at a public park,” said another.

In the 2022 general election, about 111,000 Manatee County voters — 65% of ballots cast — supported DeSantis, according to voting records. Over 59,000 residents cast votes in support of his opponent Charlie Crist.

The unveiling ceremony also comes as DeSantis trails former President Donald Trump for the GOP nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in 2024. According to FiveThirtyEight, Trump continues to lead the pack by polling at 57%. By comparison, DeSantis is polling at about 14%.

On Thursday night, Casey DeSantis is scheduled to receive the “Stateswoman of the Year Award” from the Republican Party of Sarasota and speak at a private award ceremony.

DeSantis criticizes Gaza relief

DeSantis also used the public park dedication as an opportunity to take political shots at the Biden administration.

The governor condemned the federal government’s announcement on Wednesday to provide $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in war-torn Gaza.

Israel has pounded the region with bombs since it declared war on Hamas on Oct. 8, resulting in the deaths of over 2,700 people, most of them civilians, the Associated Press reports.

Israel’s war declaration followed Hamas’ surprise Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,200 people, most of them civilians, CBS reports.

Israel has also cut off food, water, medicine and fuel to the Gaza region, leading to a humanitarian crisis, AP reports.

“They have every right to defend themselves,” DeSantis said. “And that means they have every right to eliminate Hamas as an entity.”