A new destination for kids and families on the Treasure Coast, known as The Port District, has recently opened in Port St. Lucie.
A new family-friendly destination has opened on the Treasure Coast. Last Saturday, the city of Port St. Lucie celebrated the grand opening of “The Port District,” a riverfront destination aiming to create a sense of community for all.
Located along the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, this new 9.75-acre gathering spot hopes to attract and connect people from across the state.
“This is something we’ve been dreaming about,” said Jesús Merejo, city manager of Port St. Lucie. “This will be a destination for the entire Treasure Coast.”
The master plan, approved by the city council in November 2015, includes:
- A historic village
- Outdoor pavilions
- A children’s playground
- A kayak and canoe dock
- Open space for events
- The southern extension of the Riverwalk boardwalk
- A waterfront restaurant
“I feel like this is something Port St. Lucie needed,” said Jessica Beltrami, a city resident. “There’s never really been a downtown, so I think this is really great.”
The primary funding for the $12 million project comes from the City of Port St. Lucie’s Parks Impact Fee Fund. The relocation and restoration efforts for the historic homes are partially funded through a special grant from the Florida Division of Historical Resources. The Riverwalk Boardwalk received funding from the Florida Inland Navigation District over several fiscal years.
Residents are excited about the new space.
“We were hoping for more things to do here along the river,” said Janet Guerra, a Port St. Lucie resident.
“I think it’s great to have something we can do on weekends,” said Tom Guerra, a Port St. Lucie resident.
City leaders said they spent decades exploring new ways to create a plan that fit the natural environment and preserved the city’s character. The final result was The Port District.
“This is something the community can really say: we have a port, we have a location and a place we can come to,” said Merejo.
The next phase of the project is to open a waterfront restaurant and trails in the conservation area. City staff say the plan is to begin construction on the restaurant later this year.
Here are some additional details you may find interesting:
- The official website for The Port District is not yet available, but you can find more information on the City of Port St. Lucie’s website: https://www.cityofpsl.com/
- The project is located at 2000 SE Port St Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953.
- The park’s current operating hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
- Admission to the park is free.
Image: Wfla
