Palm Coast’s Waterfront Park wins APA Florida people’s-choice award

The Florida chapter of the American Planning Association on Feb. 18 presented Palm Coast City with a people’s‑choice “Great Places in Florida” award for Waterfront Park, a 20‑acre, ADA‑accessible waterfront park, officials said.

Alara Mills Gutcher, president of APA Florida, told the City Council the award was selected by residents statewide and offered “to you, the City Of Palm Coast, for your waterfront park.” She called the park “a beautiful 20 acre ADA accessible park.”

The award follows months of public engagement and earlier delays in the presentation after hurricanes in the fall, city parks staff said. Brittney McDermott, Palm Coast deputy director of parks and recreation, said the community’s votes were decisive: “We would not have won without the community voting for Waterfront Park and showing their love and support.” She also thanked the parks maintenance team and partners such as the Florida Inland Navigation District for grants and initiatives that shaped the project.

Randy Stapleford, commissioner with the Florida Inland Navigation District, said the district provided funding and called Waterfront Park “a very special waterfront park.” City officials and residents at the meeting repeated praise for staff who designed and maintain the park.

City staff noted that many park improvements were funded with recreational impact fees and Florida Inland Navigation District grants rather than the city’s general fund. McDermott also used the presentation to announce Celebrate Trails Day, set for Saturday, April 26, with food trucks, vendors and family activities.

The presentation included a short video and a group photo at the dais; council members and park staff accepted the award on behalf of the city.

The council did not take further policy action on the item during the meeting.