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MAJOR DONORS AND GRANTS
As Cascade Park enters the construction phase, Blueprint 2000 would like to acknowledge and thank the various Organizations, Agencies, and Businesses that have contributed financially to the Park’s development or to specific Park Amenities.
Funding Provided for Park Development Efforts
In late 2002, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) held a workshop at Cascade Park, on Gaines Street, to obtain public input on the future Park’s needs and the community’s desires. TPL had obtained the services of greenway and park planning consultants to help generate ideas on park concepts, greenway development, and stream restoration. In early 2003, Blueprint 2000 initiated development of the Park and Stormwater concepts through its consultant contract with Genesis Group. Throughout the two-year Park planning phase, TPL continued their involvement by hosting the Capital Cascade Council, a committee of community and government leaders interested in following the planning efforts and contributing ideas to the Park’s development plan. In addition to the contributions provided by TPL, funding from Sun Trust Bank, led by David Ramsay and from Paula and Bill Smith, helped these early Park planning and development efforts.


	The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation funded a contract with ZifferStansberry Advertising/Public Relations toward efforts to generate private sector funding for specific amenities to be constructed in the Park. Several contributions received through these efforts are noted below. In addition, the ZifferStansberry firm provided and continues to provide additional in-kind services toward the private sector fundraising efforts.


Grant Funds Provided for Park Construction
Blueprint 2000 has received significant grant funding through several Agencies for Park construction activities. In 2007, State Representative Loranne Ausley secured a $1.5 million Legislative Appropriation for stormwater retrofit and water quality improvements related to Cascade Park and the St. Augustine Branch. These funds will be administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will go toward the construction of the bypass box culvert to be constructed to reduce flooding and limit peak flood staging in the Park. In early 2009, Blueprint 2000 submitted a “Section 319” grant application to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) requesting funding toward construction of the chemical stormwater treatment system for the ponds at Cascade Park. The system will inject alum into the stormwater, to enhance the pollutant removal efficiency of the treatment system. In September 2009, Blueprint was notified by FDEP that the project had been awarded $421,919 in funding, subject to approval by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

	The Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved $1.1 million in funding for Cascade Park to be provided over a five year period beginning in FY 2010. The funding will go toward park construction. Cascade Park is located within the Downtown CRA District and is considered an important component of the CRA’s redevelopment strategy.

The Northwest Florida Water Management District has agreed to provide $300,000 for Cascade Park Watershed Resource Restoration improvements, including stormwater retrofit facilities and stream restoration. The District concurs that the proposed Cascade Park stormwater improvements are consistent with and will help in achieving the goals of both the Florida Forever Act and the St. Marks River Watershed SWIM Plan.

Local Businesses Contribute to Cascade Park
Several local businesses have provided significant contributions toward specific amenities to be constructed in Cascade Park.
Capital Health Plan funds Sidewalks and Trails: In December 2007, Tallahassee-based Capital Health Plan (CHP) announced a $662,000 donation for construction of 2.3 miles of sidewalks and recreational trails to be located within Cascade Park. At the event announcing the donation, CHP’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Nancy Van Vessem stated CHP is sponsoring the Fitness Trail because of its value in improving community health. “Tallahassee has been our hometown for 25 years and as we celebrate our anniversary, we hope this investment will contribute to the well-being of the entire community. We also believe it will serve as a cost-saving prescription for improved community health and that the Fitness Trail will be an appealing way to add 30 minutes or more of daily exercise into the lives of thousands of residents.”
		Click here to view map Click here to view Photos

Mainline Information Systems, Inc. funds the Cascade Waterfall: Locally-based Mainline Information Systems, Inc. announced a $200,000 donation in August 2009 which will fund the 15-foot high, 32-foot diameter Cascade Waterfall, commemorating the original cascade which existed in the vicinity at the time Tallahassee was chosen as the territorial capital of Florida. Rick Kearney, Chief Executive Officer of Mainline noted, “The cascading waterfall amenity, which takes into account the history of this region while improving upon the environment, allows Mainline to demonstrate our pride and appreciation for this community.”			Cascade Waterfall Rendering (click here)

	Pittman Law Group funds the Smokey Hollow Plaza: Cascade Park incorporates some of the lands that were previously known as Smokey Hollow, a vibrant African-American community existing in the area until the late 1950’s. The Pittman Law Group has provided a $100,000 donation to commemorate Smokey Hollow. The Plaza design is being finalized. In making the pledge, Sean Pittman called Cascade Park a “celebration of Tallahassee’s history” giving birth to new life for downtown.

Other Park Amenities Available for Sponsorship: Several other proposed Cascade Park historic and cultural amenities are available for your personal or business sponsorship. Click amenity to see rendering. Shade Structure over Meridian Monument Plaza Centennial Field Plaza Hydrological Cycle Fountain Historic History Fence Boca Chuba, artistic stormwater control feature Grand Staircase

Please Call Blueprint 2000 at 850-219-1060 if you are interested. In addition, the public can purchase Commemorative Bricks to be placed at several locations within the Park. Click here to order your brick!