natural/cultural

I am an urban planner from Panama City, worked nationally with the leading thinkers about post-disaster efforts. Blending policy, advocacy, design, capacity building, community heart and soul, financing, funding, etc. Please reach out to me so that we can have a series of phone calls about the talented people and impactful funding programs I know about. Harriett is at the top of my dream team list.

I was gearing up to help PCGS bring in Orton Family Foundation to do a Community Heart and Soul project before Michael. With the rate of ‘project ideas’ coming in with folks chiming in on social media, raising the unproductive dialogue, now more than ever, we need to help everyone lead and participate in the way this program does for small communities.

Provide disaster resiliency, offloading the crowding in other parks after disasters, and reducing post-disaster traffic on our roads. Reduce the number of lost/escaped/injured dogs by giving owners a way to exercise their pets while their yards have compromised fencing. Lessen the strain on local government resources by reducing post-disaster of misplaced and injured dogs. Create a new visitor attraction to help the economy. A dog beach at the park(as is Pensacola)

Green spaces downtown plaza area to hold events – how about all those vacant lots near the new city hall – along jerks ave – almost a mini Central Park- water feature

Plans need to be made to protect property from potential wildfires. With the forest and timber lands damaged as they are, it is primed for wildfires. Plans need to be made to clean up these areas of the large amounts of dead and dying trees. Fire protection methods need to be established In just a short order of time these areas will be infested with bugs/beetles that will cause future problems for the citizens of Bay County and the surrounding areas.

Building of multi use sports fields for the community to help alleviate pressure of Frank Brown Park Fields. Possibly includes an indoor recreation complex for additional sporting events in phase II; basketball, volleyball, band mitten and pickleball. Also to be used as a community shelter during times of emergency weather. Provide community activities, tourist participation and regional/national tournaments.

Providing additional designated pickleball courts and an updated recreation facility that would include restrooms, water and lighting by the courts.

30 foot Landing Craft to be used for park operations with the primary use being for operations on Shell Island. Operations at Shell Island include cultural resource monitoring (archeological sites), sea turtle nesting surveys, Choctawhatchee Beach Mouse monitoring ( a federally endangered species), shorebird monitoring, prescribed fire, volunteer work events, and emergency.

Restoration and repair of the historical turpentine still located in the park.

Replacement of the historical World War II Gun Mount/Overlook roof which was totally torn off by the hurricane. The roof was only 2 years old and partially funded by donations to the Friends of St. Andrews State Park, a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. It was a metal roof that met park standards and added to the park aesthetics.