PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Media Contact:  Clarissa Howard 407-599-3428 or cell 407-948-2044

WINTER PARK USES NEW CEMETERY MOBILE APP

TO KEEP THE MEMORIES OF OUR LOVED ONES ALIVE

 WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (June 28, 2013) – The mobile app world is not just for the living anymore – now those who have gone even 100 years before us can benefit from these new advancements in technology.  Well, sort of.

Two years ago in 2011, our Parks & Recreation Department implemented an online burial search that allows the public to find burial locations via the city website. Today, Parks & Recreation has launched a new feature to this software that will allow family, friends and visitors of both Palm and Pineywood cemeteries to remember their loved ones, and learn about the many others laid to rest at each cemetery as well.

By downloading the new mobile app called WPC Explorer from your devices’ app store, any visitor can walk through either Palm or Pineywood cemetery with an android, iPhone or tablet.  As they visit a gravesite, they can access their loved one’s obituary, life history and photos directly from their mobile device. This information would be electronically submitted by family or friends of the departed to the Parks & Recreation Department, who will review and upload into the new software.  Each site will have its own GPS location so as you travel through the cemetery, you can actually experience an in-depth history of the city’s past residents and family members.

Literally, as you travel through the cemetery, information and wonderful memories about the ones who have gone before us can be available on your android, iPhone or tablet.  With this new upgrade, the phrase  “there’s an app for that” will not only benefit us now, but can also be a new way to remember. Keeping these memories alive is so important and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department is making it easier for us to remember our dearly departed through the use of modern technology.

For more information regarding WPC Explorer, visit cityofwinterpark.org under What’s New or call 407-599-3252.

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Media Contact: Craig M. O’Neil   407-599-3506 or cell 321-303-2653 

WINTER PARK’S UTILITY SERVICES GOES GREEN AND OFFERS EASY OPTIONS 

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks & recreation agencies (June 28, 2013) – The City of Winter Park is pleased to announce its new electronic billing and payment service powered by Payment Service Network, Inc. (PSN). By implementing the latest technology, the city will provide several easy payment options for utility customers with no convenience fee. Customers participating in online billing will receive an email notification with a link to the PDF of their actual bill when it is ready for viewing. Bills can also now be viewed online which will save printing and mailing costs.

In order to reduce costs and paper usage, utility customers are encouraged to opt out of receiving paper bills and use eBill which is a FREE service. This new online billing and payment service complements the city’s efforts to be environmentally-conscious. If customers prefer paper bills, they can still pay electronically by paying online, via mobile app available mid-July, or by calling PSN. Another benefit is that current balances are posted daily so customers can see how much they owe by going online or using the new mobile app.

Customers are now able to review their accounts and pay from the comfort of their homes, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by selecting one of the following options:

1. Log on to cityofwinterpark.org and click on “pay your utility bill” button.
2. Download “WP BillPay” mobile app for Android, Windows or iPhone.
3. Call the toll-free, automated phone service at 1.877.885.7968.

(English and Spanish languages)

1. Pay by eCheck, VISA, Mastercard or Discover.

(customers can pay immediately, schedule a payment, or set up recurring payments)

Security of online information is a top concern of the city. One of the reasons PSN was chosen is due to their Level 1 certification by the Payment Card Industry™ Data Security Standard, the highest degree of security awarded by the industry. PSN specializes in providing billing, payment and communication services to utility companies and municipalities. They are a pioneer in the online payment industry. For questions, please call PSN’s toll-free help line at 1.866.917.7368.

For additional information regarding the City of Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org

A grand re-opening celebration for Winter Park City Hall will be held Monday, August 27, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents and visitors are invited to join city officials for the festivities which will include a special ceremony at 1:45 p.m., live music and refreshments. City Hall is located at 401 South Park Avenue in downtown Winter Park.

During their strategic planning session in April 2011, the City Commission decided to renovate City Hall with necessary improvements to serve the city for at least the next 10 years. This renovation which coincides with the city’s 125^th anniversary was made possible by a stimulus grant from the federal government intended to make city buildings more energy-efficient. In addition to providing a more welcoming, customer-friendly environment for city staff to greet residents and visitors, the renovation includes new lighting and heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

The exterior of City Hall was also renovated to create a more welcoming and attractive vista for guests and those passing by. The retention area between City Hall and Park Avenue was relocated to allow for the installation of a large, inviting public lawn which is shaded by a magnificent live oak. Sprinkled throughout the property is an emphasis on seasonal color with flowering trees framing and accenting the open views across the newly expanded lawn. Vibrant, annual flower beds and clusters of colorful, potted accent groupings finish off the new look.

“On behalf of the City Commission and management, thank you to everyone who participated in making this renovation possible. Thank you also to our residents and visitors for their patience during the entire transformation process.” said City Manager Randy Knight.

For additional information regarding Winter Park, please visit the city’s official website at cityofwinterpark.org or call the main information line at 407-599-3399.

WINTER PARK, Fla., an internationally recognized ICMA Excellence Award winner with accredited fire, police and parks &  recreation agencies (May 1, 2012) – It’s that time of year again! Now is the time for spring cleaning and the City of Winter Park encourages residents to participate in the city’s annual Spring Cleanup which will be held during the month of May.

The annual Spring Cleanup provides an extra “bonus” pickup day so that residents can dispose of old furniture, broken appliances and other bulky  items. To take advantage of this convenient service, residents must place their items curbside after 5 p.m. on the evening prior to their second regularly scheduled pickup day.

Quadrant                                                   Assigned Pickup Day
North of Fairbanks/Aloma avenues               Week of May 7
South of Fairbanks/Aloma avenues              Week of May 14

PLEASE NOTE: Hazardous waste, electronics and yard waste are NOT included in the Spring Cleanup.

For more information regarding Winter Park’s annual Spring Cleanup, please contact Utility Billing Customer Service at 407-599-3220 or Waste Pro® at 407-774-0800.

For information regarding additional Winter Park events please visit the  city’s official website at www.cityofwinterpark.org.