Bagdad in Santa Rosa County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Bagdad Mill Site Park

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

1. Bagdad Mill Site Park Marker

Inscription.

Bagdad Mill Site Park. . , The mill site's natural characteristics were changed in the twentieth century when it was used as a prestress concrete plant (1977-1992) and an asphalt plant (1995-1999). When the asphalt company was unable to continue their operations, the land was donated to the State of Florida with the provision that it be used for the conservation and protection of natural and historical resources. The county subleased the site from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails to develop a park. Since 2005, the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership has helped conserve the Bagdad Mill Site and has supported the county's efforts to develop the 22-acre property In 2006, a master planning process was held and a management plan was developed for the park. A technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs in 2007 to study the retaining wall along the river's edge was the first step in determining what improvements needed to be made. A master plan and conceptual layout of park amenities, funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, was developed in 2008 Volunteers planted trees and installed an irrigation system, and in 2009, more volunteer hours were invested at the Bagdad Mill Site Park than any other Florida Office of Greenways and Trails' park in the state. With assistance from the State of Florida, the vacant concrete buildings left by the asphalt plant were demolished in 2010. In 2011, the park was designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System. A ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of improvements to the park was held in 2013. That phase was completed in 2016. For more information about the Bagdad Waterfronts Partnership, visit bagdadwaterfronts.org., Captions: , Center: Richard Lewis and Tom Scott guide tractor operator , John Davis as he lowers a tree into its hole. , Right, top: Bagdad Mill Site Park under construction , Right, middle: Restored barber shop , Right, bottom: Bagdad Art Stroll, 2008

The mill site's natural characteristics were changed in the twentieth century when it was used as a prestress concrete plant (1977-1992) and an asphalt plant (1995-1999). When the asphalt company was unable to continue their operations, the land was donated to the State of Florida with the provision that it be used for the conservation and protection of natural and historical resources. The county subleased the site from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of Greenways and Trails to develop a park. Since 2005, the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership has helped conserve the Bagdad Mill Site and has supported the county's efforts to develop the 22-acre property In 2006, a master planning process was held and a management plan was developed for the park. A technical assistance grant from the Florida Department of Community Affairs in 2007 to study the retaining wall along the river's edge was the first step in determining what improvements needed to be made. A master plan and conceptual layout of park amenities, funded by a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, was developed in 2008 Volunteers planted trees and installed an irrigation system, and in 2009, more volunteer hours were invested at the Bagdad Mill Site Park than any other Florida Office of Greenways and Trails' park in the state. With assistance from the State of Florida, the vacant concrete buildings left by the asphalt plant were demolished in 2010. In 2011, the park was designated by the Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Florida Greenways and Trails System. A ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of improvements

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to the park was held in 2013. That phase was completed in 2016. For more information about the Bagdad Waterfronts Partnership, visit bagdadwaterfronts.org.

Captions:
Center: Richard Lewis and Tom Scott guide tractor operator
John Davis as he lowers a tree into its hole.
Right, top: Bagdad Mill Site Park under construction
Right, middle: Restored barber shop
Right, bottom: Bagdad Art Stroll, 2008

Erected 2016 by Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership, Inc.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 2005.

Location. 30° 36.286′ N, 87° 1.94′ W. Marker is in Bagdad, Florida, in Santa Rosa County. Marker can be reached from Main Street, 0.1 miles Forsyth Street. Located within the Bagdad Mill Site Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6953 Main Street, Bagdad FL 32530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Architecture of Bagdad (within shouting distance of this marker); The Early History of Bagdad (within shouting distance of this marker); Bagdad After the Mill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A New Century (about 300 feet away); The Longleaf Pine (about 300 feet away); Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (about 300 feet away); Animals Along the Blackwater River (about 300 feet away); Working for the Company (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bagdad.

Bagdad Mill Site Park marker looking towards park entrance gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

2. Bagdad Mill Site Park marker looking towards park entrance gate.

Bagdad Mill Site Park entrance gate. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, November 17, 2016

3. Bagdad Mill Site Park entrance gate.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 8, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.