2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

1 Discussed by Old Florida Heritage Highway community persons in attendance on January 25, 2017

Scenic Highway: Old Florida Heritage Highway

Form Completed by: Kathleen W. Pagan, AICP

Email address: kpagan@alachuacounty.us

Telephone number: 352-374-5249

Section 1: Completed Projects Did your byway organization complete one or more projects in 2016?

Yes – If more than one project was completed in 2016, make a blank copy of Section 1 starting at “Completed Project #1.” Paste this blank copy into the report below Project #1 and change the project number for each subsequent completed project.

No

Completed Project #1 1. Project Name: Micanopy Fall Festival Booth

2. Category/Type (highlight one category that best describes the project):

Physical or built – scenic pull-out, landscaping, wayfinding signage, interpretive panels/kiosks, visitor center, etc.

Planning – CMP (now BMP) update, interpretive, marketing, wayfinding, master plan, etc. Organizational Development – fundraising plan, strategic plan or retreat, accreditation, etc. Program – cell phone app, website, beach cleanup, Adopt A Highway, Kids Ocean Day, etc. Marketing – brochure, video, advertising, etc.

3. Project Budget

This section has been modified for 2016 to more accurately reflect budgets for completed projects. For some projects, like a sponsored kiosk, the money raised for the project might exceed the cost of the project. Others, like 5K runs or garage sales, generate revenue upon completion. Please see the 2016 BAR Guidance for a more detailed explanation and examples if this budget format is unclear.

Project Budget: Government Grant(s) (federal, state, or local) $

Private (individual donations, business sponsors, foundations, special events, membership)

Donated Raffle Items

Earned Income (merchandise sales, fees for programs, etc.) $

In-kind value (only include if allowed as matching for grant) $

Revenue Generated by Project (i.e., event registration fees, merchandise sales, etc., Raffles

$26

Total Revenue Raised for/by Project $26.00

- Total Cost of Project $ 0.00

Net Gain or Loss $26.00

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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4. Project Dates:

a. Start Date (can be prior to 2016) 6/2016: (Submitted application, gathered materials, etc.) b. Completion Date (must be in 2016) 10/2016:

5. Project Lead

Did the byway organization lead the project (obtained/helped obtain funding, managed project, etc.)? Yes or No (highlight a response) If No, please indicate the project lead and describe the role the byway organization played:

6. Description of the project (this description should include all information needed to develop a 2-3 paragraph article about the project): The OFHH participated in the Micanopy Fall Festival with an information booth, and this year also included display of a vintage “Glassic” car replica that is owned by a member. Items for a raffle were donated.

7. Lessons learned from the project: What worked well? What would you do differently? What elements were critical to success? The addition of the vintage car to the festival booth was successful, especially since 2016 was the 100th anniversary of the “Dixie Highway” that includes a portion of Cholakka Boulevard. The raffle could have been improved, perhaps with better signage or more announcements to visitors. In past years more promo items were geared towards children, but the supply of items from the BikePed Resource Center was impacted by funding issues so none were available.

8. Project impact: Please estimate return on investment if possible. What is known about the economic, quality of life, and/or environmental impacts of the project? The Micanopy Fall Festival is a major fundraiser for the Town non-profits, which share in proceeds. Also many businesses rely on Festival customers. The main purpose of OFHH participation is to share info about touring and maps. The OFHH will meet with the Town Festival Planning Committee in February 2017 and may join the planning group, which will allow a share of festival proceeds to our group.

9. Byway goals addressed: What planning goals are addressed by the project? This is not a planning project. Participation in the annual fall festival is to engage visitors to provide information about the byway. This does help “Tell the story” of the byway.

10. Please list and describe the role of all project partners: David Willkomm donated use of the vintage car and helped at the booth both days. Ann Stacy also helped at the booth the entire days for the weekend festival. She is especially commended/thanked since she was recovering from a minor injury yet still helped as planned. Kathleen Pagan donated items for the “Day Outing” raffle (Backpack cooler, binoculars, writing pad). John Ambrose volunteered on Sunday afternoon, and his persuasive engagement with booth visitors increased participation in the raffle.

Please email 3-5 high-resolution photos of each project that the FSHP has permission to include in Program publications. (Attached in separate file)

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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Section 2: Other Accomplishments and Ongoing Projects 1. Please describe any other noteworthy accomplishments from 2016 not included in the Completed Projects

section. Also discuss any ongoing projects that were not completed in 2016. A Symposium was held at University of Florida in October 2016 to discuss the Old Florida Heritage Highway and scenic byway planning. More information is provided

Section 3: Previously Completed Projects and Byway Resources 1. Please describe the significant benefits or positive impacts from projects completed prior to 2016. Name

the project and summarize any impacts or measures of success in all areas below that apply: The major project completed with NSB funds is renovation of the Paynes Prairie Visitors Center.

a. Economic: Park visitors are estimated to spend approx. $22+ /day in local sales (food, recreation equipment, lodging)

b. Quality of life: The Prairie Visitor’s Center is the main gathering space for park volunteers. The Annual Meeting and other events are held there. It is also a popular place for park visitors to learn about the park wildlife. The renovations improved ADA access.

c. Environmental: Paynes Prairie is critical to ecology of Alachua County. d. Other:

2. Please describe any damages or threats to resources (i.e., resources that contributed to the scenic

highway designation) that occurred in 2016: The proposed I-75 Corridor expansion was considered a threat by many in the community and these persons were active opponents in FDOT public meetings.

Section 4: Public Participation & Partnerships 1. Describe how byway stakeholders (residents, business owners, local government officials, and partners)

were routinely updated about the scenic highway in 2016. Byway website is www.scenicus441.com . Also email communications are sent to active supporters.

2. Are there issues or concerns regarding the scenic highway in corridor communities? None known at present

3. How are new byway organization members, leaders, and volunteers recruited? Fliers, email, word of mouth. There are also some ideas to merge with a larger nonprofit organization.

4. Is there evidence that more stakeholders are involved/interested in and/or aware of the scenic highway (more people receiving newsletter, attending meetings, volunteering, etc.)? No

5. With how many stakeholders does the byway organization routinely communicate (meeting notices, newsletters, etc.)? Approximately fifty (50)

6. Describe how the byway organization assisted its partners in 2016. Shared information concerning meetings about the meetings to discuss I-75 corridor proposal. Participated in an event at Cross Creek sponsored by Friends of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park (Rose naming/dedication ceremony).

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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The vintage “Glassic car” replica and information table were included by OFHH. Invited Friends of Paynes Prairie President to participate in special UF event (see Section 9).

Section 5: Funding 1. Does your byway organization have an annual budget? (highlight a response)

Yes – Please email as an attachment to wanda.maloney@floridascenichighways.com

No – Please provide the following revenue information for 2016:

Government Grant(s) (federal, state, or local) $0

Private (individual donations, business sponsors, foundations, special events, membership)- Report from Treasurer pending

$ 45.00

Earned Income (merchandise sales, fees for programs, etc.) $ 26.00*

In-kind value (time at events) Cross Creek & Micanopy $100.00

Total Funding $171

* Still yet to be deposited. Account balance $2,291.92 as of November 1, 2016 2. Please describe your outstanding funding needs in the following categories:

a. Project(s) or program(s) that lack funding: There is still ongoing fundraising to complete the Paynes Prairie Visitors Center exhibit renovation project. More info at Friends of Paynes Prairie

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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website- http://www.prairiefriends.org/page-1862505 b. Total amount of funding needed (in dollars rounded to nearest $100) – See website c. Potential sources of funding identified: Private donations. Grants are also possible.

NOTE: The OFHH Master Plan included a steel cable safety feature along the US 441 Ecopassage. This would be a good project for FDOT to consider (there was a crash fatality there in 2016).

3. Please list potential funding sources being pursued (if not identified above).

4. Please describe the organization’s challenges to obtaining funding. The non-profit organization has not ever received a grant directly so has no grant history. The group is very small to work on grants also.

5. Please describe your funding success stories from 2016. For example: a successful fundraising event or identifying a new source of funding. Not applicable. (In past years the Friends of Paynes Prairie has found the Stargazing event to be a successful fundraiser. However the event was postponed and then the 2nd date cancelled this year due to inclement weather).

Section 6: Marketing 1. Describe the marketing methods used (website, brochure, festival booths, advertisements, social media,

etc.) in 2016 for the scenic highway and the effectiveness of each. A new historic tour brochure for the entire Alachua County was completed by VisitGainesville using state grant funds. The website is ExploreHistoricAlachuaCounty.org . Very effective brochure. There was a booth at a May event at Cross Creek. Also the Micanopy Fall Festival booth as described as Project 1. Info booths allow OFHH volunteers to directly speak with the public and share info.

2. What was the total amount spent on marketing? The byway organization per se did not spend funds on marketing. VisitGainesville provided help with the brochure.

3. What were the sources of funding for marketing? VisitFlorida grant program.

4. Please list the social media accounts active for the byway along with the number of followers for each (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, etc.): Facebook page has about 1012 ‘likes’.

5. Describe any local tourism trends based on available data (number of tourists increasing, new local/regional economic impact data, etc.).

6. Has the impact of the scenic highway on local tourism trends been identified in any way? If so, please describe. There are numerous online news stories that note the draw of Micanopy, a major destination along the byway.

7. Please describe how the byway organization is working with local tourism agencies. As previously noted a new historic tour brochure was completed in 2016. County staff working on the byway coordinates directly with staff at VisitGainesville.

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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Section 7: Byway Organization 1. What is the organization’s current structure (nonprofit, informal citizen group, etc.)?

There is a nonprofit yet there are not persons serving as officers per the Bylaws, so the group is currently operating as an informal citizen group. Group needs to make decisions about upcoming year.

2. In what organizational development activities did the byway organization engage this year (training, evaluation/assessment, accreditation, strategic planning, etc.)? Group discussed new initiative to include vintage car to promote byways. Several members are knowledgeable about the Ford Model A.

3. What are the organization’s greatest challenges (recruiting new members, getting the work done, obtaining funding, etc.)? All of the above.

Section 8: Byway Management Plan (BMP) 1. In what year was your current BMP (or CMP) adopted? December 2011

2. Based on FSHP Guidance Section 4, when does your byway organization anticipate the next BMP update

will occur? Near future

3. Does your byway organization have questions about or need help deciding when to update the BMP? Yes

Section 9: Final Comments 1. Please list any other significant accomplishments or activities that have not been captured in this report.

One of the Old Florida Heritage Highway founding members, Ed Geers, moved out of state this year to return to Iowa to be closer to siblings. Prior to his move a farewell event was hosted by the Micanopy Historical Museum, and was well attended. Ed spoke and told of all the work he did at the Museum as well as internationally when his late wife Sally Guthrie worked for the United Nations. He is now working with the Iowa State Byway Foundation Board! Persons at the Micanopy Historical Museum have information indicating he made a major donation to the Iowa Scenic Byways Public Art program. (Attachment) One of Ed’s fellow workers at the Micanopy Historical Museum was recognized for his achievements: John Thrasher, historian and third generation Micanopy resident, was honored with the National

Society Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Recognition Award and Medal,

which was presented to him by the Gainesville chapter of NSDAR. Thrasher is a graduate of the

University of Florida, retired educator, and founding president of the Micanopy Historical Society.

And since 2004, Thrasher has served as president of the Thrasher Family Association, which was

formed in 1973.

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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(Center) John Thrasher, historian and third generation Micanopy resident, was recognized by the Gainesville chapter

of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. From left Janet Messer, and Carla Van Arnam,

members of the Gainesville chapter.

Patricia Schmidt, University of Florida professor emeritus and chairperson of the Gainesville

chapter’s Women’s Issues Committee, received the Women in American History Medal and

Certificate from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, presented by Virginia

Poffenberger, regent of Florida State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and Konnie

Beauregard, chairperson of FSSDAR.

http://achievers.blogs.gainesville.com/260/micanopy-resident-recognized-for-historic-preservation/ March 14, 2016

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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The event described above is another annual event, although OFHH has not participated to date.

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

9 Discussed by Old Florida Heritage Highway community persons in attendance on January 25, 2017

A special outreach event was possible through a partnership with UF “Women’s Transportation Seminar.”

One of the consultant team who developed the Old Florida Heritage Highway Master Plan is now a Visiting

Professor at UF, so along with the UF Transportation Planning Professor and other byway spokespersons

there was a diverse panel. The event attracted more than 30 university and community members. It is

hoped there will be more engagement with the WTS. Many thanks to the staff responsible for organizing

the seminar:

Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S. (Master’s degree in Wildlife Ecology, yet works in Transportation Research)

Coordinator, Research Programs/Services

University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI)

Southeastern Transportation Research, Innovation,

Development & Education Center (STRIDE)

WTS Florida Gator Student Chapter Adviser

University of Florida

iaviles@ce.ufl.edu

352-294-7803 (Office, New)

http://www.stride.ce.ufl.edu/

WTS TRANSPORTATION SYMPOSIUM

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

10 Discussed by Old Florida Heritage Highway community persons in attendance on January 25, 2017

The Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS)

Florida Gator Student Chapter

Presents a Symposium on

"The Old Florida Heritage Highway"

WHEN: Wednesday, October 19, 2016

TIME: 6 pm to 8 pm, a reception to follow (including heavy hors d'oeuvre)

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

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WHERE: Room G-310, Reitz Union, UF Campus

The purpose of this free event is to make the community aware of the state

designated scenic highway, it's needs as related to resource protection and

infrastructure improvements, it's Master Plan and finally, what needs to be done

to protect this corridor, it's beauty, wildlife, and infrastructure. This is your

chance to hear and interact with urban planners, engineers and community

leaders as they share their experiences advocating for this part of

Florida's heritage.

Panelists Include:

Kathleen Pagan, AICP, Sr. Planner, Growth Management, Alachua County

Dr. James Perran Ross, President, Friends of Paynes Prairie Steve Scanlan, PE, Operations Program Engineer (Gainesville), FDOT

Dr. Ruth Steiner, Professor, Urban & Regional Planning, University of Florida

As in past years, the event will include a raffle of official WTS products!

Please RSVP for this event by October 17, 2016 to Ines Aviles-Spadoni,

UFTI/STRIDE Research Programs Coordinator at iaviles@ce.ufl.edu.

Hosted and sponsored by:

University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI)

Website: http://www.transportation.institute.ufl.edu/

2016 FSHP Byway Annual Report (BAR) Form

12 Discussed by Old Florida Heritage Highway community persons in attendance on January 25, 2017

The Town of Micanopy is recognized for the tremendous work organizing the annual July 4th Parade.

6

Micanopy Fall Festival 2016 Old Florida Heritage Highway

Volunteers Jon Ambrose, Ann Stacy, Kathleen Pagan and David Willkomm at Micanopy Festival 2016

Micanopy Fall Festival 2016 Old Florida Heritage Highway

The “Glassic” replica of the Ford Model A is owned by member/volunteer David Willkomm.

A friend left a small dog temporarily for complimentary petsitting! It was a mutual admiration event!!

Micanopy Fall Festival 2016 Old Florida Heritage Highway

Booth included display of Old Florida

Heritage Highway map, Master Plan,

and brochure. The display also

included State Scenic Byway info

card, promos including the cups and

mini-footballs.

Some promos items from Visit

Gainesville were also provided and a

raffle of items donated by a

volunteer collected $26. The first

person whose name was drawn

declined the raffle prize. The raffle

prizewinner was Rosanna Rodriguez.

(She also has invited the group to

make a presentation in March 2017

to an assisted living facility).