Resources

The Florida Scenic Highway Program is a grass-roots effort to heighten awareness of our State’s historical and intrinsic resources – cultural, historical, archeological, recreational, natural and scenic – which collectively, enhance the overall traveling experience. Program participation provides subsequent benefits to the community as well, such as resource preservation, enhancement and protection.

The program consists of a step-by-step process divided into three phases:

I. Eligibility – During this first phase, a Corridor Advocacy Group gathers and prepares documentation to show that the Corridor meets program criteria, outlining the Corridor’s intrinsic resources, and demonstrating community support.

II. Designation – Once eligibility is determined, the Corridor Advocacy Group prepares a Corridor Management Plan, which represents a comprehensive collection of support data, protection techniques and management strategies for the Corridor.

III. Implementation – During the final phase, the points outlined in the Corridor Management Plan are put into action.

Program Process

Eligibility Phase: The CAG develops supporting documentation. FDOT must then decide upon eligibility.

Designation Phase: The CAG develops Corridor Management Plan. FDOT decides whether to grant designation.

Implementation Phase: The Corridor Management Plan is implemented. Scenic highway becomes a reality.

Program Benefits

What are the benefits of the Florida Scenic Highways Program? Read about them from those involved, in their own words:

Buddy Cunill, former Florida Scenic Highways Program Administrator for the Florida Department of Transportation:”The program allows for a coming together of the community, to accentuate those qualities within the community that collectively they feel are significant…” Read More »
Gavin Jones on the Tamiami Trail Scenic Highway. Jones is staff director of the Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization, which provided staff support for the Corridor Advocacy Group. He also currently serves on the Corridor Management Entity.”The designation enables us to go after funds that are available…” Read More »
Janine L. Raby, former chairperson of the Corridor Advocacy Group, on the Pensacola Scenic Bluffs Highway:”Ultimately, we hope that this will bring more people here in terms of visitors and also do things that will make it more enjoyable for residents as well…” Read More »
John Chappie on Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway. Chappie is vice mayor of the city of Bradenton Beach and current chairperson of the Corridor Advocacy Group. “We wanted to preserve, protect and enhance the resources we have…” Read More »
Mary Cornwell on the William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway, a Candidate Corridor. Cornwell is current chairperson of the Corridor Advocacy Group. “The program has made everybody more aware. They had no idea this highway had so much historical and archeological significance…” Read More »

Program Criteria

Read more about the required items needed to participate in the program here.

Intrinsic Resources

The Florida Scenic Highways Program is based on preserving and protecting the State’s outstanding resources. The program identifies six intrinsic resources with significant, exceptional and distinctive features: Cultural, Historical, Archeological, Recreational, Natural, and Scenic. Corridors must exhibit at least one of the intrinsic resources to quality for designation. Read More »

Program Training

Meetings and Training

Florida Scenic Highways Program state and district coordinators are here to help you. An initial meeting and/or training course should be scheduled by the Corridor Advocacy Group upon receipt of the initial FDOT response letter. The District Scenic Highways Coordinator will then give a presentation on the program’s mission and process, as well as respond to group members’ questions. Additionally, upon invitation, FDOT offers detailed training courses to the Corridor Advocacy Group as they begin each phase of the three-phase process.

References and Publications

Learn more about the Florida Scenic Highway Program here.

Program Funding

While the Florida Scenic Highways Program does not supply direct funding for those groups desiring Corridor designation, FDOT does provide support for helping your group find other funding opportunities. (Note: History reflects that designated Corridors have more success in getting grant money, compared with those not designated.) Read More »

FSHP Library

See what’s in the FSHP Library here »