dr. john m. degrove community steward webinar series...about 1000 friends of florida • founded in...
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Dr. John M. DeGrove Community Steward Webinar Series
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Florida Greenways and Trails “Close the Gap” Campaign
• Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 12:00-1:30
• Approved for 1.5 AICP CM Credits – #e.23649
• Applied for CLE Credits by the Florida Bar
• This PowerPoint is available for downloading at www.1000friendsofflorida.org. Click on “Greenways Webinar” under “What’s New.”
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About 1000 Friends of Florida
• Founded in 1986, 1000 Friends of Florida is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit membership organization. • We work to save special places, fight sprawl and build better
communities. • We educate, advocate and negotiate to protect Florida’s high
quality of life. • Our bipartisan board of directors includes advocates and
experts from across the state.
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Dr. John M. DeGrove, 1924-2012
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Upcoming Webinars
• 1000 Friends’ webinar series will resume in September.
• To find out more, please visit our site in August: http://www.1000friendsofflorida.org/communications/webinars/
• Visit www.1000friendsofflorida.org/join-us/?alerts to sign up for email alerts!
• Follow 1000 Friends on Facebook and Twitter!
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Questions?
• The control panel for this webinar includes a “Questions” box.
• Please type any questions in this box.
• Please refer to the slide number when you post your question.
• Staff will monitor the questions which will be asked of the presenters at the end of the webinar, as time permits.
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1000 Friends and Florida’s Greenways and Trails
• Began in 1991 as a non-governmental project of 1000 Friends of Florida.
• Headed by Dr. Mark Benedict with funding from The Conservation Fund and The MacArthur Foundation.
• Governor Chiles issued an Executive Order in 1993 that formally created the Florida Greenways Commission.
• This Commission was co-chaired by Buddy MacKay and 1000 Friends Chairman Nathaniel P. Reed
• As a result of the Commission’s work , the 1995 Legislature passed the Florida Greenways and Trails Act in Chapter 260, F.S., formally making this a state agency program.
6/19/2013
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Presenters
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About Dale Allen
• President of the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation.
• Previously, joined The Trust for Public Land in 1981, ultimately becoming Senior Vice President in 1999.
• Was responsible for TPL’s work in a nine-state area from the Carolinas south to Florida and west to Louisiana.
• A native Floridian.
• Graduate of the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University.
About Doug Alderson
• Worked with the Florida Office of Greenways and Trails for about 8 years.
• Currently OGT’s assistant bureau chief.
• Coordinated the state’s designated paddling trails, including the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, as well as the Visit Florida Greenways and Trails website.
• An avid trail enthusiast during his free time.
• Authored several natural history and outdoor adventure books, primarily about Florida.
6/19/2013 Heart of Florida
Creating new trails in Central Florida and Coast-to-Coast
Close the Gaps
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In central Florida an opportunity exists to link a series of existing, but separate trails into a connected and continuous greenway loop through our State’s heartland. By CLOSING THE GAPS between the existing trails, Florida is poised to connect numerous smaller communities with the major cities of Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg and Jacksonville. This connection will create many new business opportunities and a scenic and safe bicycle and pedestrian experience in the “Heart of Florida”. Based upon current economic studies along existing trail segments in Orange County, (Thanks largely to existing local trails such as the West Orange Trail and Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, the communities of Winter Garden and Dunedin are consistently reporting almost 100% occupancy in their core business districts.) Thanks to a lead grant from the Elizabeth Ordway Dunn Foundation, the Florida Greenways and Trails Foundation will lead the effort to CLOSE THE GAPS! Overlapping with the established “St. Johns River to Sea” loop, “Heart of Florida” loop, and the “Coast-to-Coast” trail, will create a series of major new citizen and tourist destinations in central Florida.
the completion of this loop trail could generate over $200 million of annual revenue for business in the counties and cities along this Greenway.
We welcome your interest, your support and your active participation.
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Florida: #1 Most Dangerous State in US for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Florida is the 3rd Most Populous State with an increasing urban population. Our roads are already crowded, and getting worse.
Florida is the world's Most Popular Tourist Destination — 87 million visitors in 2011. Additional pressure on our roads by visitors contributes to Florida's "Most Dangerous" reputation.
Tourism generates 23% of all revenue collected by the State of Florida. According to Florida's 2012 SCORP report, bicycling is a top 10 outdoor recreation activity for tourists, but only 14% of Florida tourists participate in bicycling.
Bicycling is the 3rd most popular outdoor recreation activity for residents. Imagine if Florida had a comprehensive off-road paved system of trails for our citizens.
200 miles of the proposed 275 miles Coast-to-Coast (C2C) Connector are already in place. A one-time investment of $50 million will complete this entire trail, and help communities realize the economic benefits of the existing trail segments.
Plus, paved trails are a proven community downtown re-vitalization amenity.
Go visit Winter Garden on the West Orange Trail, and Dunedin on the Pinellas Trail. Beautiful downtowns with 100% occupancy in the core.
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Hard to understand his actions. He actually called the Coast-to-Coast Connector a "worthwhile project" in his veto message. However, he also stated that it should be completed "incrementally" and "in phases“ — exactly as the Legislature intended in the proviso language of the appropriation.
And mistakenly, he referenced $56 million of funding that "already was included in the Department of Transportation's Work Plan". These already programmed Federal funds — if entirely received by Florida and invested in the C2C — still leave the $50 million "Gaps" that this appropriation was meant to "Close".
Governor Scott's veto message leaves this critical and vibrant project still incomplete.
Let's WORK TOGETHER in 2014 to change this situation!
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Overall Trail View
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Heart of Florida Loop and Coast-to-Coast Trail
Connecting the Heart of Florida Loop to the Coast-to-Coast Trail will ultimately connect Central Florida, and the West Coast to the East Coast.
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
Heart of Florida Loop
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Starkey Trail
Coast-to-Coast Trail
Withlachoochee State Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
Starkey Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Good Neighbor
Trail
Good Neighbor
Trail
Starkey Gap
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Connecting the Starkey Gap will close the Pinellas Trail, to the Starkey Wilderness Trail, and the Suncoast Trail.
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Starkey Trail
Starkey Gap
Good Neighbor
Trail
Starkey Gap
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Good Neighbor Gap
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Closing the Good Neighbor Gap will complete the connection from the Suncoast Trail, to the Good Neighbor Trail, to the Withlacoochee State Trail.
Good Neighbor
Trail
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Starkey Trail Good Neighbor
Gap
Good Neighbor Gap
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Van Fleet State Trail
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Closing the Van Fleet Gap would connect the General James A. Van Fleet State Trail (VFST) to the Withlacoochee State Trail (WST). Due to the Van Fleet’s location adjacent to the Withlacoochee State Forest (WSF) and the Green Swamp, proposed connections would include crossing these public lands.
Good Neighbor
Trail
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Starkey Trail
Van Fleet Gap
Van Fleet State Trail Gap
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Seminole Gap
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Closing the Seminole Gap would connect the West Orange Trail (WOT), Seminole-Wekiva Trail (SWT), and the East Central Regional Rail Trial.
Good Neighbor
Trail
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Starkey Trail
SeminoleGap
Seminole Gap
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Space Coast Gap
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Connecting the Cross Seminole Trail and the East Central Regional Rail Trail all the way over to the Canaveral National Seashore will complete the Space Coast Gap.
Good Neighbor
Trail
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Starkey Trail
Space Coast Gap
Space Coast Gap
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
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Coast-to-Coast Trail
Beginning the connection from the Pinellas Trail to the Space Coast Gap will ultimately connect the West Coast to the East Coast, calling it the Coast-to-Coast Trail.
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Spring-to-Spring Trail
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
Starkey Trail
Coast-to-Coast Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Good Neighbor
Trail
Mount Dora Bikeway Gap
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Heart of Florida Loop to the Coast-to-Coast Trail
Completing the Mount Dora Bikeway Gap will connect the Cross Florida Greenway to the Coast-to-Coast Trail.
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ORLANDO
OCALA
TAMPA
Cross Florida Greenway
Withlachoochee State Trail
Spring-to-Spring Trail
Heart of Florida Loop
General James A. Van Fleet State Trail
South Lake Trail
West Orange Trail
Seminole Wekiva Trail
Cross Seminole Trail
Suncoast Trail
Pinellas Trail
Starkey Trail
Coast-to-Coast Trail
East Central Regional Rail Trail
Good Neighbor
Trail
Mount Dora Bikeway Gap
Mount Dora Bike Way Gap
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The Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation is Florida's chief advocacy organization for non-motorized trails. The Foundation supports greater use of trails for recreation, for fitness and health, for reducing carbon emissions, for attracting leisure travelers, for building community, for beautification, and for a larger role in evolving multi-modal transportation policy. We support greenways in particular for their value in connecting land and water bodies in public ownership and in private conservation for sustaining wildlife, for wildlife viewing, and for other non-consumptive purposes. The Foundation is particularly mindful of the economic benefits that greenways and trails represent for businesses sponsorship.
Questions?
• The control panel for this webinar includes a “Questions” box.
• Please type any questions in this box.
• Please refer to the slide number when you post your question.
• Staff will monitor the questions which will be asked of the presenters at the end of the webinar, as time permits.
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Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
March 11, 2013 | Tallahassee, Florida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Presentation Outline
1. Overview
2. Florida Tourism
3. Cross State Trails
4. Bicycle Tourism
5. Benefits of Trails
6. Health and Wellness
7. Environmental Benefits
8. Conclusion Photo by John Moran
Van Fleet Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Coast-to-Coast Connector
Coast-to-Coast
Connector is a 275
mile trail that will
link the Gulf Coast
to the Atlantic
Ocean, through
Central Florida
Photos by VisitFlorida
Pinellas Trail
Pinellas Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Coast-to-Coast Connector
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector Pinellas Trail, Pinellas County, FL
Starkey Trail, Pasco County, FL
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector Suncoast Trail, Hernando County, FL
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector West Orange Trail, Orange County, FL
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector Seminole-Wekiva Trail, Seminole County, FL
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Coast-to-Coast Connector
• Clearwater
Beach to
Cape
Canaveral
Photos by VisitFlorida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Tourism in Florida
• Tourism generated $67 billion in economic impact in Florida, roughly 10% of total GDP.
• Florida is the top tourism destination IN THE WORLD with 87 million visitors in 2011. (Source: VisitMyFlorida.com)
Photos by VisitFlorida
Suncoast Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Tourism in Florida
• Tourism in Florida employs more than 1 million people
• Tourism generates 23% of all revenue collected by the state
• Primary reason for coming to Florida – leisure (88% of all visitors) (Source: VisitMyFlorida.com)
West Orange Trail
West Orange Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Tourism in Florida
• 73% of Florida’s 87 million visitors include nature based activities in their travel.
• 65% of Florida visitors say that outdoor recreation is very important.
Withlachoochee Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Other Cross-State Trails
• Cross State Trails
create jobs, boost
economies of rural
and urban areas,
attract tourists and
support small
businesses Photo by VisitFlorida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Other Cross State Trails
• NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail
• SC Palmetto Trail
• GA Coastal Georgia Greenway
• PA Susquehanna River Greenway
• NY Erie Canalway Trail
• MI Belle Isle to Wisconsin Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Economic Benefits of Cycling
• Bicycling industry contributes $133 billion a year to the U.S. Economy
• Supports 1.1 million jobs
• Generates $17.7 billion in federal, state and local taxes
• Bicycle tourists spend $47 billion on meals, transportation and lodging
Source: League of
American Cyclists
2009
Pinellas Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Coast-to-Coast Connector
Bicycle Tourism
• Reasonable tour ride is 25-50 miles
• Coast-to-Coast Connector tours: 5 to 7 days
• Average expenditure per cyclists: $20/visit
• Projected annual use would exceed 1 million
Photos by VisitFlorida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Economic Benefits of Trails
• “The Pinellas
Trail is an
economic
engine”
Bob Ironsmith, Dunedin
Economic Development
Director
Pinellas Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Economic Benefits of Trails
• Trails:
– Reduce cost of public services
– Improve health and wellness
– Attract tourists, boost local economy
– Improve real estate values
– Make communities more liveable
– Attract business and industry
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Health and Wellness Benefits
• Florida spends $119 billion on health care
• Obesity is an epidemic
• CDC and Surgeon General encourage communities and states to build more trails
• Create active living communities
Withlachoochee Trail
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Environmental Benefits
• Florida can conserve
and protect our
environment and
native biodiversity by
linking residents to a
network of conserved
and protected lands,
from coast-to-coast
Photos by VisitFlorida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Environmental Benefits
• Coast-to-Coast Connector will link trail users to numerous state forests, state and local parks
• Connector promotes human-powered, non-polluting, tourism-based outdoor recreation
Photos by VisitFlorida
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Conclusion
• Coast-to-Coast Connector:
– Will generate $120 million in annual return from a one-time investment of $42 million
– Improve economy of Central Florida
– Create jobs and support business growth
– Foster better health and wellness through active living
– Help to steward Central Florida’s ecology and environment
Economic Benefits of Coast-to-Coast Connector
Dale Allen, President
Florida Greenways & Trails Foundation, Inc.
Questions/Comments
Questions?
• The control panel for this webinar includes a “Questions” box.
• Please type any questions in this box.
• Please refer to the slide number when you post your question.
• Staff will monitor the questions which will be asked of the presenters at the end of the webinar, as time permits.
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