Incorporated in 1961, Port St. Lucie has come a long way in a short time. Originally marketed around the world, and especially in the northeast, by the General Development Corporation (GDC) as a retirement haven, we have gone from a sales pitch and bedroom community, where only 330 people lived in 1970, to an award-winning, full-service city that is home to more than 189,400 and counting.  As part of this dramatic metamorphosis, the people of Port St. Lucie have had to overcome GDC’s inadequate community planning and infrastructure development; and this fight continues to this day and entails much more than carrying out one of the nation’s largest municipal septic sewer conversions, building parkways and retrofitting sidewalks.  It includes making sure that the “old” GDC developed neighborhoods, the ones without names or a sense of identity, gateway signage, edges, neighborhood parks, walkable streets and social cohesion, are upgraded and uplifted. With new master-planned communities rising out of the western annexation areas, this effort is essential to our future success as a city. We must ensure that we are, and will always be, one Port St. Lucie—a safe, beautiful prosperous City for All People.

With this vision in mind, the City initiated the Neighborhood Improvement and Community Engagement (NICE) Program. The NICE Program is administered by the City’s Neighborhood Services Department. Through the Program, the City is systematically convening neighborhood planning workshops, where citizens envision and then plan the future of their neighborhoods.  While each neighborhood plan is unique, in every case, the citizens create a neighborhood master plan that is adopted by the City Council, defining the boundaries of their neighborhood, naming it, identifying future improvements and selecting a “kickstart” project that the City will carry out to kick the plan into gear.  The Program is building community engagement and improving the fabric of the community neighborhood by neighborhood.

One of the special things about the Program is that it is funded by proceeds derived from the City’s curbside recycling program.  Through the City’s agreements with our waste hauler and the St. Lucie County Landfill, when the people of Port St. Lucie recycle, the corresponding commodities are sorted and sold and the resulting proceeds are invested in our neighborhoods in accordance with the neighborhood plans created through the NICE Program.  Consequently, in our community, scrap metal, aluminum cans and cardboard are quite seriously being turned into neighborhood parks, the utility box wrap public art project, sidewalks, entry features and much more. 

The City of Port St. Lucie was proud to accept the 2018 “Best Neighborhood Program” in the US award from Neighborhoods, USA for beautification and physical revitalization made possible through the NICE program. It is a great honor to win a first-place, national award and, greater still, to be recognized by an organization that has been solely dedicated to building stronger communities for the last 40+ years. 

View the NICE Program in Brief

View Civic Association Guidelines

View Urban Land Institute Report

View Action Plans:

• Action Plan_PA3, Action Plan_PA 4N, Action Plan_PA 4S, Action Plan PA 6, Action Plan PA 7

Download Neighborhoods Map

Neighborhoods

Neighborhood	Description
Bayshore Business District	The Bayshore Business District offers shops that are locally owned and operated, an industrial area.
Bayshore Heights	Dominantly a residential area, Bayshore Heights neighborhood is conveniently located near shops and restaurants.
Becker Ridge	Generally a residential area, Becker Ridge is a quiet and safe neighborhood located just west of the Turnpike.
Canal Pointe	Explore the neighborhood’s family-friendly charm and beyond by accessing the C-24 Canal Park to navigate the north fork of the St. Lucie River or the Intercostal Waterway.
Cashmere Cove	Cashmere Cove neighborhood features Turtle Run Park, a 10 acre area with a large pavilion, playground and a large open space to practice with multi-purpose goals (soccer, football, rugby).
Crane Landing	Crane Landing is a desirable location in the South Becker area with quick access to I-95 or the Turnpike.
Fairgreen Crossings	Fairgreen Crossings is a limited access community just off Crosstown Parkway and I-95. Its distinct location provides a warm small town feel close to shopping, entertainment, and dining.
Floresta Gardens	Floresta Gardens neighborhood features the City of Port St. Lucie Community Center and Kiwanis Park.
Floresta Pointe	Quiet quality radiates throughout this unique neighborhood with easy access to the Crosstown Parkway, a gateway to both U.S. 1 and Interstate 95.
Gatlin Pines	Gatlin Pines is a convenient location and friendly neighborhood which makes living there a dream come true.
Hidden Oaks	Located on the 21 mile diversion canal, Hidden Oaks offers fishing and an abundance of water activities to enjoy.
Lyngate	Lyngate neighborhood is home to Lyngate Park and Dog Park which offers two ballfields, a playground and other sport’s courts.
Morningside	Morningside neighborhood is located within Lyngate and is home to Morningside Academy, a private K-12 school.
Newport Isles	Marsh and lake views with numerous wildlife sightings from the properties make Newport Isles a serene place to live.
Northport Village	Northport Village neighborhood features Sportsman Park and Girl Scout Friendship Park. Sportsman Park features four ball fields and much more.
Oak Hammock	Oak Hammock neighborhood features Oak Hammock Park nestled in a little hideaway on the canal system of Lake Okeechobee.
Paar Estates	Paar Estates is nestled between SW Paar Drive on its western border and the “Horseshoe Canal” on its eastern border. If you’re looking for a serene and unique community to call home, Paar Estates should be on your list of places to consider.
Palm Trails	Palm Trails is a quiet and charming residential area centrally located in Port St. Lucie.
Riverview	See glimpses of the scenic St. Lucie River when visiting or passing through the Riverview neighborhood.
Rosser Reserve	Recreational and fishing enthusiasts should check out what Rosser Reserve has to offer.
Sandhill Crossing	Sandhill Crossing is just around the corner from the beautiful Indian River Lagoon and Savannas Preserve State Park.
Sandpiper Bay	Sandpiper Bay is a quaint and pristine neighborhood which features the Saints Golf Course and Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens.
Sawgrass Lakes	Home to Sawgrass Lakes and other upscale properties, Sawgrass Lakes is noticeably different than most communities in Port St. Lucie.
Southbend Lakes	Southbend Lakes features Jessica Clinton Park and Tesoro, a private country club and gated community.
St. Lucie North	St. Lucie North neighborhood features Preserves, Nature Trails and The Champion Turf Club at Saint James.
Swan Park	Swan Park neighborhood features a 6.2 acre park with three soccer fields and a playground.
Torino	Torino is an up and coming community with close access to Interstate 95, is convenient to St. Lucie West.
Tulip Park	Tulip Park has a little something for everyone while being adjacent to Whispering Pines regional park, two schools, restaurants and shopping.
Whispering Pines	Home of the Southwest PSL Little League, Pop Warner Football and Whispering Pines Tennis 14 tennis courts with one pavilion Center.
Woodland Trails	Woodland Trails is an up and coming residential community that has churches and commercial areas in walking distance.