The 2025 #IamPSL Citizen Summit in Port St. Lucie achieved unprecedented attendance, drawing over 1,000 participants to the annual community engagement event on February 1, 2025. Hosted at the Port St. Lucie Community Center, this eighth annual gathering provided residents the opportunity to directly influence the city’s future development plans and witness firsthand how their feedback translates into actionable initiatives.
Launch of Naturally PSL Green Spaces & Places Initiative
A highlight of this year’s summit was the unveiling of the Naturally PSL Green Spaces & Places initiative, a direct response to resident feedback from the 2023 Citizen Summit. At that event, attendees prioritized increased access to neighborhood parks and natural preserves, prompting city officials to develop this comprehensive program.
According to Kate Parmelee, Deputy City Manager for Strategic Initiatives and Innovation, “The Naturally PSL Green Spaces & Places initiative is the product of a year-long innovation project developed in response to this need, with the support of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins, and the Centre for Public Impact.”
Collaborative Efforts and Community Engagement
In 2024, Port St. Lucie was selected as one of 40 cities worldwide to join the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, receiving specialized training in human-centered design. City officials interacted with over 1,000 residents, gathering more than 1,000 ideas to enhance access to green spaces. This extensive community input led to the creation of various programs, including the Naturally PSL initiative.
Key Components of Naturally PSL Initiative
The initiative focuses on several strategic areas:
- Park and conservation land improvements
- Enhanced park and trail connections
- An interactive website at CityofPSL.com/NaturallyPSL
- Naturally PSL Environmental Stewardship Awards
- Naturally PSL Conservation Corps
- Village Green Drive Green Street Festivals
- Opportunities for community contributions toward a land bank aimed at preserving additional green spaces
Currently, the city has designated 744.4 acres as green spaces, with 198 acres of city-owned natural preserves. Additionally, there are 41.4 miles of existing trails and plans for 20.3 miles more. Two new parks opened in 2024, with six additional parks slated for opening and improvements soon.
Improving Public Awareness and Accessibility
Feedback from residents highlighted a lack of awareness about existing and planned green spaces. To address this, the city developed an interactive map featuring walking and cycling loops connecting these areas, encouraging exploration and engagement. This resource is available on the city’s website at CityofPSL.com/NaturallyPSL.
Residents and potential partners interested in participating or learning more about the Naturally PSL initiative can visit the city’s dedicated webpage at CityofPSL.com/NaturallyPSL.
Continued Community Input Encouraged
Residents unable to attend the summit can still contribute their ideas and priorities by completing an online questionnaire available at link.cityofpsl.com/csquestionnaire. Input collected will be presented to the Mayor and City Council during their annual Strategic Planning session this spring, influencing future city budgeting and planning decisions.
The City Council’s effective use of resident feedback has garnered national attention, inspiring other cities to adopt similar engagement models.
For additional information on community engagement best practices, visit the National League of Cities Civic Engagement Resources.
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