TREASURE COAST – The Pioneer Park & Port District was recently named the 2025 People’s Choice Winner through the American Planning Association, Florida Chapter.
Receiving second place was The Patio at Palm City Place, 3290 SW Mapp Rd., Palm City.
The third finalist was Mayors Park at Freedom Lake in Pinellas Park.
The mission of the American Planning Association, with the Tallahassee-based Florida Chapter, is designed to elevate and unite a diverse planning profession to help communities, their leaders, and residents anticipate and navigate change, according to its web site.
The Pioneer Park, a 9.75-acre plot south of the Botanical Gardens at 2454 SE Westmoreland Blvd., Port St. Lucie, is along the banks of the north fork of the St. Lucie River as part of the Port District Master Plan.
It has an eight-foot-wide, 3,200-linear-food boardwalk made from 100 percent recycled materials with an overwater stage; canoe & kayak launch; open-air event spaces; public seating areas; renovated historic homes; a children’s playground; and a future riverfront restaurant. It links three parks and two retail centers proving access to recreation, nature preserves, shopping and dining.
Since the June 15, 2024, opening, more than 417,000 people have visited, according to the city’s web site.
The Patio at Palm City Place, 3290 SW Mapp Rd., Palm City is just north of Southwest Martin Highway on the west side of Southwest Mapp Road.
“I am honored that The Patio at Palm City Place has been recognized among Florida’s great places,” Kores said in a press release. “What was once a vacant lot in the Old Palm City (Community Redevelopment Agency) has been transformed into a vibrant community gathering space featuring native landscaping, public art, and flexible space for events and programs. The Patio reflects our CRA’s mission to revitalize neighborhoods through thoughtful planning, design, and investment.”
The ribbon was cut on June 1, 2024 to officially open the half-acre park, with construction having started in 2020.
Included among the amenities are scenic walking paths of more than 1,000 feet of sidewalk with benches and trees; a fishing pier extending into the nearby stormwater treatment areas; and green zones for recreation. There are also concrete ping pong tables, cornhole sets and picnic tables equipped with chess and checkers boards.
From Sept. 3-26, residents were invited to vote for their favorite among the three finalists through the web site, https://florida.planning.org/community-outreach/great-places-florida/2025/.