Call for Nominations
Welcome to the 11th Annual Great Places in Florida Award.
We have opened the call for nominations for this year's award program. The them this year: Great Places That Ground Us
This year’s theme invites nominations that reflect the deep connections between people, place, and shared identity. Whether through thoughtful infrastructure, cultural memory, or ongoing community stewardship, these are places that hold meaning not just for what they look like, but for how they make us feel.
From neighborhood parks and main street corridors to transit stops, trails, or plazas these are places that tell stories, honor culture, and create space for connection, care, and everyday belonging.
| Element | What to Address in Long Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Cultural Memory & Storytelling | Does the place reflect community heritage or lived experience? Has it been shaped by or dedicated to those histories? | Oral history projects, murals, plaques, naming efforts |
| Stewardship & Placekeeping | Is the place actively cared for by residents, groups, or intergenerational efforts? | Clean-ups, gardening groups, informal park watches, programming |
| Infrastructure with Meaning | How has public infrastructure (lighting, benches, trails, transit, streets) contributed to a sense of welcome, safety, or identity? | Community-designed street elements, transit shelters with art, safe crossings near gathering points |
|
Spaces of Everyday Belonging |
Does the place encourage organic gathering, rest, or reflection? | Shaded areas, flexible seating, story circles, vendor zones |
| Intergenerational & Cultural Relevance | Is it used by a mix of ages, backgrounds, or traditions? | Senior benches near playgrounds, faith-based markets, language access |
| Design for Connection | Does the design (or redesign) prioritize gathering, slowing down, and connecting with others? | Front porch libraries, widened sidewalks, pedestrian plazas |
The guidelines are provided below to help guide your description and we encourage you to use them if they apply. Please note that while descriptions are provided for four different categories of Places there is no set number of finalists per category, all categories will receive equal weight when looked on by the selection committee.
Neighborhood Parks
These are small to mid-sized public green spaces located within residential areas. They often serve as daily gathering spots for families, neighbors, and community members. Neighborhood parks may include playgrounds, walking paths, shaded seating, or open lawns, What makes them meaningful is not just their function, but the way they reflect the rhythms and rituals of the surrounding community.
Main Streets & Commercial Corridors
Main streets are the heart of local commerce and everyday interaction often lined with small businesses, food vendors, and services that reflect the neighborhood’s character. These corridors may be historic or newly revitalized, and can include sidewalks, storefronts, signage, and public art that speak to cultural identity. They are places where daily life, celebration, and protest often intersect, offering a sense of belonging and visibility to residents.
Transit Stops & Mobility Hubs
These are more than just places to catch a ride they are thresholds to daily routines, designed spaces that can invite safety, comfort, and even creativity. A well-used bus stop, train station, or bike hub can become a cultural landmark or community node, especially when residents shape it with seating, shade, murals, or messaging that reflects local stories and priorities.
Plazas & Public Squares
Plazas are open, often paved spaces designed for gathering, events, rest, or transit flow. They may be formal civic spaces or informal gathering zones between buildings or across intersections. Whether hosting farmers markets, community performances, or spontaneous conversation, plazas become meaningful when they invite connection, visibility, and shared use across generations and backgrounds.
Remember, the criteria above have been provided to help guide submittals; they are by no means the only items that can be mentioned in the description of the Place. The guidelines and criteria set the minimum expectations for Entrants and the Selection Committee.