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Council approves "Naturally PSL" green-spaces initiative and Conservation Corps pilot ahead of Citizen Summit
Summary
Council approved the Naturally PSL program — a branding, outreach and volunteer stewardship initiative — and directed staff to launch program elements at the upcoming Citizen Summit, including a trail map, volunteer Conservation Corps and environmental stewardship awards.
Port St. Lucie — The City Council on Jan. 21 approved a multi-faceted initiative called Naturally PSL — a communications brand and program to promote the city’s parks, conservation lands and trails — and allowed staff to proceed with pilot actions timed to the Feb. 1 Citizen Summit.
Staff presentation: Kate (staff member) and Nikki Zen (Bloomberg City Hall fellow) described the Naturally PSL initiative as a combined branding, outreach and activation effort. Components include a printed and interactive trail map, a volunteer Conservation Corps for monthly cleanups and short-term events, environmental stewardship awards to recognize volunteers and donors, activation of Village Green Drive (near the Civic Center) for festivals and asphalt-art pilots, and coordination with the Parks & Recreation Master Plan and other grant programs.
Why it matters: Staff said residents frequently do not know where existing green spaces and preserves are located; the initiative is intended to raise awareness, promote stewardship and support future land acquisition and trail connections. Staff presented data showing the city has 744 acres planned for green-space development and cited declines in resident satisfaction with open spaces (staff said satisfaction dropped from 62% to 45% in a cited survey period, noting the annual sample changes in methodology may factor into that difference).
Program details: Nikki previewed an interactive story map that will let residents locate nearby parks, view curated loop routes and get directions, parking and amenity information. Staff described intended partnerships with Keep St. Lucie Beautiful and other organizations, the potential to use merchandise and citizen-summit activities to raise awareness, and grant-seeking efforts to fund trail and restoration work.
Public comment and council input: Resident Ms. Goldberg supported increased visibility of city properties and asked which preserves are open to the public; staff said some preserves are accessible while others are preserved primarily for habitat and management. Council members discussed consistent campus branding, linking planned Sun Trails and Hogpen Slough boardwalk projects, and ensuring festival sites have appropriate parking and access.
Action: Council approved the Naturally PSL initiative and the related pilot activities and directed staff to launch them at the Citizen Summit; the motion passed by voice vote. Staff will proceed with volunteer recruitment, launch the interactive map, and continue grant applications and partnerships to support the program.
Next steps: Staff will recruit Conservation Corps volunteers, finalize the trail-map interactive site, incorporate conservation lands signage and highlight ongoing and planned park and trail openings at the Citizen Summit on Feb. 1.
