A new project seeks to use technology and kiosks along the Northbank and Southbank to educate and inform people about the St. Johns River, Jacksonville's history and more.
Called "The Riverwalk Project," and introduced Friday, the project was presented as a way to "enhance the Jacksonville Riverwalk by partnering to create an interactive Riverwalk experience that nourishes the body, inspires the soul and enriches the senses."
The idea is to create a mobile app, website and kiosks that could be installed on the Northbank and Southbank riverwalks that could educate users about the river's ecology and Jacksonville's history, share information about public art and cultural venues and promote health and wellness.
The project is one of the ideas scheduled to be shown in the April 17-21 One Spark crowdfunding festival.
The project is a partnership between Brunet-Garcia Advertising Inc., the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida, the Jacksonville Historical Society and the St. Johns Riverkeeper.
"There's a demand for this type of project in the community. The possibilities are limitless," said Vanessa Harper, Brunet-Garcia producer and strategist.
She said activating the Riverwalk is not a new idea and has been a topic of conservation since the Southbank Riverwalk opened in 1985.
The Riverwalk Project began in 2010 as a discussion between Haskell and the St. Johns Riverkeeper concerning informative signage along the Riverwalk. Harper said the discussion grew into an idea for an app and a website.
In 2012, other organizations and business leaders were invited to join the discussion.
"It evolved into a grassroots initiative that I think is becoming a movement," said Harper.
Jimmy Orth, St. Johns Riverkeeper executive director, said the project could support businesses Downtown by educating the community about the Downtown experience.
"People have to know the river. The Riverwalk is the best park we have in Jacksonville. If more people experience the Riverwalk, that will drive economic opportunities," he said.
Dawn Emerick, Health Planning Council executive director, said the project could serve to motivate people to use the Riverwalk to improve their health and fitness. Since no firm plans are in place for content or implementation of the idea, it's an opportunity to seek input and the designers should create what the community wants to ensure success, she said.
"Sometimes if you build it, they won't come," Emerick said.
The river plays a prominent role in Jacksonville's history because the town was founded in 1822 at the foot of Liberty Street, said Jacksonville Historical Society Executive Director Emily Lisska.
Harper said there are four ways for the community to contribute to the project: by contributing content for the app and website, by contributing funds and investing in the project, by being an "ambassador" to enhance support for the project and by volunteering to help staff the project's booth at One Spark.
Harper said the display at One Spark will include a video showing families engaging with the app and an iPad application that will "simulate the experience" of actually using the technology.
Asked about the budget for the project, Harper said that hasn't been determined because the details of the final product are still in the "concepting" stage. The first phase is to develop the One Spark presentation and recruit volunteers.
"The ideal budget would be $50,000," she said.
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