New POP! website

Today the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation Department launched the POP! story map website, which is a guide to outdoor art in the Pensacola area. POP stands for Pensacola Outdoor Project, and the initiative will grow to encompass sculptures, murals and other outdoor assets.

“Pensacola has always celebrated our arts, history and parks, and this new story map is an excellent way to share the stories of sculptures all across our city,” Mayor Grover Robinson said.

The site can be launched from the POP! website at pensacolaoutdoorproject.comand the City of Pensacola Parks and Recreation website at playpensacola.com. Visitors can also find it by scanning the QR code located on stickers near many of the sculptures on the map. The site is designed as a story map, which users can see on their computers or mobile devices. It has maps to each of the sculptures and background on each of the sculptures, with information including the artist, the donor and the significance of the piece.

“This was a great team effort by arts, history and business leaders from our community in partnership with the city,” said Holly Benson, who organized the project. “We have so many people who are passionate about our city and its treasures, and this is a fun way to share this information.”

“At our recent Veterans Day event, we shared the QR code and the site, and we are so pleased to have a new way to share the importance of both the history of our armed services and of the art in  Pensacola Veterans Memorial Park,” said Paul Entrekin, President of the Pensacola Veterans Memorial Park Foundation Board.

“Public art enhances our quality of life and attracts new businesses and residents, and it also attracts visitors who are more likely to stay longer and spend more money if they participate in cultural activities,” said Emily Kopas, COO of the Pensacola Downtown Improvement Board.

The site is being launched with the sculpture information first. Murals will be the second phase, and the Committee expects to continue adding new features. For more information