- April 19, 2024
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Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway President Anne Wilson wrote the following open letter in order to gain support for coastal preservation, in the face of decreasing federal funding.
An adapted version of her letter is as follows:
“We are writing to invite you to demonstrate your support of the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, whose mission is to preserve, protect, promote and enhance the A1A corridor in a manner to retain its ‘old Florida’ ambiance.
You can help by becoming a member of the Friends of A1A.
The A1A Scenic & Coastal Byway, which includes 72 miles of roadway in St. Johns and Flagler counties, became a National Scenic Byway in 2002. … After obtaining the support of the municipalities, counties, Florida and the Federal Highways Administration, this group came together as the Friends of A1A, a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization that seeks to market the area and plan improvements to the roadway and its environs.
The work of the organization has led to funding and implementation of a number of projects. … A sampling of those projects are as follows:
• Improve/create numerous parks, like Silver Lake in Flagler Beach.
• Create and promote an innovative cell phone tour that allows tourists to learn about the various sites along the roadway.
• Welcome visitors with gateway features at Marineland and Flagler Beach.
• Participate in joint-marketing events with organizations in both St. Johns and Flagler County that increase tourist traffic.
• Plan events that market the area’s assets and businesses. The 72-mile yard sale, planned as a fundraiser, for example, has become a drawing event in its own right.
• Schedule regular roadway/beach clean-ups.
• Create an award-winning annual environmental education event that teaches school children about our area.
• Advocate for special amendments to the land development code, assuring that development is sensitive to the needs of businesses, tourists, residents, and nature in both counties.
And this is only a partial list.
The people who bring this to you are, however, too few in number. Moreover, our ability to continue to attain funding and grow the economy of the area depends, in part, on our ability to demonstrate the breadth and depth of local support. Currently national funding is in turmoil with continuations and extensions of the transportation funds for programs like ours. We need your help through your membership. As well, there are opportunities to be involved in setting the priorities as we move forward.
You can become a member of Friends of A1A for as little as $25 for individuals, $50 for families and $75 for businesses.
To become a member, visit www.scenica1a.org or contact [email protected].
Help us make a difference and many thanks for your support,
Anne Wilson
President
Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway”
