City wins 2025 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award

Published on October 03, 2025

This content is provided by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association

City of Port St. Lucie’s Pioneer Park & The Port District Wins the 2025 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA Florida) is pleased to announce that the top vote-getter for the 12th Annual Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award is the City of Port St. Lucie’s Pioneer Park & the Port District. The other finalists were Palm City Place & Patio and Mayors Park at Freedom Lake (Pinellas Park).

The People’s Choice Award celebrates public spaces that foster connection, care, and community identity. This year’s theme, Great Places That Ground Us, highlights places that reflect the deep ties between people and place – spaces that tell stories, honor culture, and create everyday belonging.

In its nomination, the city shared how this place resonates with its residents and visitors:

“The Port District provides infrastructure with meaning, provides spaces of everyday belonging, provides physical locations for cultural memory and storytelling, has intergenerational and cultural relevance, and was in every way designed for connections.”

“This project is a shining example of how public spaces can foster a deep sense of community connection,” said APA Florida President Allara Mills-Gutcher, AICP. “As Florida continues to grow rapidly, we appreciate communities like the City of Port St. Lucie that lead with foresight and innovation, protecting our state’s open spaces and vital ecosystems, while also providing a space that promotes health, recreation, and well-being for residents.”

Great Places in Florida is a distinctive awards program where communities submit nominations and the public selects the winners. Each year, the program highlights unique and memorable places that serve their communities and draw visitors. This year’s theme, Great Places That Ground Us, celebrates locations that embody thoughtful infrastructure, cultural memory, and ongoing community stewardship. These places are meaningful not only for their appearance, but for the way they make us feel.

Review this year’s finalists and explore past winners on the APA Florida website: florida.planning.org/greatplaces.