Waterfront Park Recognized by American Planning Association

The good news keeps coming for destinations in Florida with the recent announcement that Palm Coast’s Waterfront Park was awarded the 2024 Great Places in Florida People’s Choice Award by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, according to a media release. The park was one of three finalists for the award, which also included Lake Shore Drive in Lake Park and Ringling Trail in Sarasota.

According to the release, since the award’s inception in 2013, municipalities have been encouraged to identify and nominate memorable places that work for the good of their community and attract visitors. Nominated locations are expected to represent the gold standard of several criteria, which include embodying cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow. Each year also features a theme which highlights planning elements that contribute to the “greatness” of the space. For 2024, the theme was Great Places Exemplifying Safe Mobility for All.

“For years, Waterfront Park has been one of the best examples of outdoor recreation in our city that really has something for everyone,” said city Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst, in the release. “We’re so proud to be recognized by the APA and especially thankful to all of those who voted for Waterfront Park and made this award possible.”

The three finalists were selected by the Florida Chapter of the American Planning Association, and winners were determined by a public voting process on the organization’s website this past fall. Highlighted features from the Waterfront Park nomination included the facility’s numerous amenities like the fishing pier, playground, covered patio, kayak/paddleboarding, picnic pavilions, trail system as well as it’s natural beauty and ecological diversity along the Intracoastal Waterway.