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Item L1 LI BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COUNTY of MONROE Mayor Craig Cates,District 1 The Florida Keys Mayor Pro Tern Holly Merrill Raschein,District 5 Michelle Lincoln,District 2 James K.Scholl,District 3 David Rice,District 4 Board of County Commissioners Meeting July 19, 2023 Agenda Item Number: L1 2023-1285 BULK ITEM: No DEPARTMENT: District 4 TIME APPROXIMATE: STAFF CONTACT: Tamara Lamarche AGENDA ITEM WORDING: COMMISSIONER RICE: Discussion and direction to staff regarding naming of an unspecified location after long-time Commissioner Sylvia Murphy. ITEM BACKGROUND: PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION: CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES: STAFF RECOMMENDATION: DOCUMENTATION: FINANCIAL IMPACT: 4195 Jill Patterson P.O. Box 372289 Key Largo, FL 33037 (305) 395-2949 July 15, 2023 Monroe County, Florida Mayor Craig Cates Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein Commissioner Michelle Lincoln Commissioner David Rice Commissioner Jim Scholl Re: July 19, 2023 BOCC AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS Item I.1. COMMISSIONER RICE: Discussion and direction to staff regarding naming of an unspecified location after long-time Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Dear Mayor and Commissioners: It has come to my attention that an idea is being discussed about possibly renaming Old Settlers Park in Tavernier after our beloved long time community member (and County Commissioner) Sylvia Murphy. This year the community also lost longtime resident Alice Allen. After Alice passed away an idea was floated to rename the park after her. An idea that was not appropriate. To understand why, it is necessary to understand the Tavernier community who came together during the development of Old Settlers Park. It is my hope that this letter will help inform our newest County Commissioners and staff and refresh the memories of those who may have forgotten. Over the course of a decade, many individuals, including descendants of the Albury family and professionals like Susan Sprunt, Environmental Consulting Systems, Inc., who continues to offer her expertise to this day, provided hundreds upon hundreds of volunteer hours at Old Settlers Park. All followed the leadership of Alice Allen with the vision to preserve Tavernier's history. Sylvia Murphy (and many others) embraced the idea and were tireless in their efforts. Alice and Sylvia were a dynamic duo during this process. If both Alice and Sylvia were here today, I believe they would invite you to walk through Old Settlers Park. Not just a `breeze through' but to take the time to appreciate the passive park for what it is, a preservation of rich history, natural shoreline and native hammock. It is a place where the world slows down and provides peace. It's also a place that provides information about the early settlers of Tavernier. The kiosk panels display the original Robert Albury1882 Land Grand and a photo of his great grandson Kenneth Albury with Monroe County Mayor Sylvia Murphy cutting the ribbon of the Albury Pavilion at the park's 201h Anniversary celebration in 2014. Monroe County, Florida Mayor Craig Cates Mayor Pro Tem Holly Merrill Raschein Commissioner Michelle Lincoln Commissioner David Rice Commissioner Jim Scholl Re: July 19, 2023 BOCC AGENDA COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS Item I.1. COMMISSIONER RICE: Discussion and direction to staff regarding naming of an unspecified location after long-time Commissioner Sylvia Murphy Page 2 of 2 Renaming any public area can unintentionally cause offence. Just because a park (or property) does not carry a person's name, does not mean the name has less meaning to the community. Old Settlers Park represents families with descendants who still live in Tavernier today. It is a celebration of Tavernier's founding families, it is not, nor has it ever been, about one person. Neither Alice, nor Sylvia, represented themselves as an early settler, but they chose to live in Tavernier until their passing, because of the community's heart. Although Friends of Old Settlers Park (FOOSP) is no longer a formal Florida Corporation, it does not need to be. A transition took place before the 20th Anniversary, while Sylvia and Alice were still living. We returned to the group's roots where the community comes together when needed. FOOSP is in early discussion about a 30th Anniversary Celebration in the Fall of 2024. This is a great way for the community to, once again, celebrate the rich history of the park property and original settlers of Tavernier. With much appreciation for all the Friends of Old Settlers Park, past, present and future and in memory of those who have passed away, to name a few, Alice Allen, Sylvia Murphy, Shirley Fave Albury, "K" Wilkinson, and Jean Arroyo. I hope the spirit of their efforts continues and we have a 30th Anniversary to celebrate! Sincerely, jal,PaWe ISOTII Jill Patterson cc: Kevin Wilson, Assistant County Administrator; Tom Allen, Director of Parks and Beaches; Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Members; Billy Jean Slaikeu; Kenneth & Marion Albury; Julie Albury Ratliff, FOOSP Attachments: • OSP Kiosk History Panel. • Florida Heritage Site Panels (It is no coincidence it sits on Albury Blvd at the entrance to Old Settlers Park). • Photo of the Albury Pavilion (site of the original Albury home, which was moved to lower Matecumbe and restored). • Photo of descendant Kenneth Albury and Mayor Sylvia Murphy cutting the ribbon at the "Albury Pavilion" dedication. 0 r r a l� r N "l,41 Se"We Part' (/roir, M e Off / rir 3t �m to d✓i'f„:,rvwry „� ,�� I d19 � r i r r f�%iroioiij m rr// rc rii'I r/aii�fafr,,,�,,,>rtl,wlrrrrU rrr, ,w m sVs r /// ,,,9I r: r fi 9 4 i , I l r ( f j 6 1 / r r , r /�r 1. /,. ,.., O..r r.. ,-, -„ •., r.,. ,... ,.. 1 f J ✓ l r / / �, ,. a ,,: �.z'; ,..r ,. ,..,.. -, ✓,./ ,c. ,, r ` ,.,, r4 llJ� ��r l/JlII r6�,vl,�li(/ r�. r, r,r, �., r ✓ r,, ,. �„ �,; �, l��I' � r, y,a.,L.,, ,.,r � ,,., �,�,,, lf/rr�L, �i��/�u�i�1�ff� � )uo�l7�b „� ,. ��r � � � �� . ta �a� � � �u ,�„ � � _ � w �� ,. �� w� � w � �� +' ��% as cn. �p� � a� .� � m ., l� �� ,. ' m � � � �� au � � �B ��%I, �� , R � � � � � � � � � a� r � � w+ � +� � ,� ww «� � �° �u � � � � � ,� »� qp � '^^ i a � + � �V �� i 1 i. ,,0 1 J � !� r �r ran �� i � � �6 �. � I i' ,n d ,. �l� � � do�� %/��,✓r, �/ IY I I I I: ' Ili! m i i k iNh Vp 'Ak ai iMa w« a4 ;a mce � r A o �u 6�i /lei/�/� i/ i/ i % ✓i ��G/i�p y m i it ��/ �i!i 1 %%ri( % �U ii �i� ! ,�✓ ,,,,. >; '� ,I �, ,,,,,,, �ii' ;,/ ✓'" ,�, i.> > '. ✓iri /. i j ./��n%�,�i/� %lei I't/ ��/ '`r /' i� ✓ �`ar �f// %tANV cd; r�,,, z , r / /%/i i % /�:�� /✓.///�l /: / �, ,..r, v,<," ,3 ,,,�:;. ';fir, , ,,, ;,; ✓, ,;,,.,, ,i�,< r �l% ,/�z-, �; �,�% i y%�f i�/�/.�A✓� >< �� „-,, ;-, ,�,u,,rp� ,,, � ri /i Gt„ //� „�. � ..� ✓.. INN, --, �„ 1,,. ,.,,�, 6 :; o�., ,� ��.: ,,, ,�, <a;, i >,r./�i// 'Y r �V F� �n /! r IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIU i i // ,,...� ✓ ,� /i�/ ,,,,,,,,, ,f III �.. ,.. ,., ., IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIII- IIIIIIII- IIIIIIIIIII- IIIIIIIIIIIIII --- The 3.2 acres of Old Settlers Park were once part of a large parcel granted to Robert Albury in 1882. The Albury family, farmers and seamen, lived on the land for three more generations. When the economic base shifted the parcel was divided into home sites and the Alburys retained only the part that is now the park. After Hurricane Donna (1960) floated their home from its foundation the family sold the land and moved. 1111 In 1994 long-time Upper Keys conservationist Dagny Johnson Homestead certificate for 144.58 acres issued to learned this property might be sold for resort development and Robert Albury in 1882.The grant included the alerted the Tavernier community. Led by dedicated local 3.2 acres that are now Old Settlers Park. residents, the community rallied to its defense. From the beginning people sought public funds to buy the land and make it a park. It would honor the early settlers and �. reserve the natural environment. The community P Y wanted a passive" park, i.e., one designed to be peaceful. It would do ° that by not providing sports areas, night lights, boat ramps, etc. " which were already available elsewhere. All non-native, invasive species would be removed and the land would be replanted with native vegetation that was especially attractive to local birds and butterflies. The shoreline would remain natural. ` Aerial view of Tavernier,looking north,early Before Ion Friends Old Settlers Park FOOSP was organized Future Old Settlers Park land with large g s o (FOOSP) ga Albury house visible in upper right. and working closely with the Monroe County Land Authority. Members attended county meetings and worked with the Tavernier Historical Group to build support for their effort. All that hard work finally paid off on October 21, 1994, when the Monroe County Land Authority Advisory Board unanimously passed a request to purchase the property. Funds for the purchase came '"°N,9 from the Florida Communities Trust, Preservation 2000 funds, 1 �" Monroe County and other sources. ry Development of the park progressed slowly over the next ten years due to limited funding and Monroe County's other priorities. Anxious for progress, FOOSP, with scores of local volunteers, '9 u raised funds for plants and tools. They also held clean-up days when both invasive plants and trash were hauled from the land House built on this land Roger and Sarah Albury in 1922. Photograph taken in early 1970s,after and shoreline. Ameri-Corps, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office the house had stood vacant for many years. and Clean Florida Keys as well as numerous local businesses donated workers and equipment. The entire vegetation design was donated by a local botanist, Susan V. Sprunt,Ph.D, who also oversaw all the planting. In 2004, Old Settlers Park was opened to the public. Since then, FOOSP has continued to work with Monroe County and the Tavernier community to ensure that local residents and visitors of A all ages can continue to enjoy this beautiful place. '% For more Tavernier history, please visit the State of Florida historical marker outside the north (highway) entrance. Kenneth Albury and Monroe County Mayor Sylvia P Murphy dedicate the Albury Pavilion n during the The use of the photographs was generously donated by members of the community. park's 201^Anniversary celebration,October 18, 2014. Please report any suspicious activity to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office non-emergency phone number(305)-852-3211 2015