2024 Great Places in Florida Award
Finalists for the 11th Annual Great Places in Florida People's Choice Award
Due to Hurricane Helene, voting has been extended to 5 pm on Monday, Oct. 7
Great Places in Florida is a unique awards program as all nominations are submitted by communities and the public determines the winner. Each year the nominees focus on unique, memorable places that work for the good of their community and attract people to visit them. The award is an annual selection of places that represent the gold standard of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement, and a vision for tomorrow. A newly restructured program includes an annual theme that includes planning elements that contribute to the “greatness” of a space or place.
This year’s theme is Great Places Exemplifying Safe Mobility for All, which recognizes human mistakes and vulnerabilities, while creating context sensitive safety interventions to limit conflict points through innovative infrastructure projects, education and awareness, available technologies, enforcement, community engagement, and more.
Take a look at our finalists then vote for your favorite!
-----------------
Lake Shore Drive is one of the main thoroughfares in the Town of Lake Park (the Town). It is the easternmost north-south road in the Town of Lake Park, offering views of parks and many buildings that truly characterize “Old Florida,” as well as partial views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Further, it is in a critical area for economic growth in a 100-year-old municipality that is experiencing a renaissance that will bring unprecedented development. Historically, Lake Shore Drive became impassable during rainstorms and king tides due to flooding and ponding water, creating a public safety hazard and a barrier to care for residents requiring emergency services. The Lake Shore Drive Drainage Improvement Project, which resulted in the Lake Shore Drive we see today, improved drainage and address sea level rise that occurs as the result of king tides and climate change, thereby creating safer conditions for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Watch the Video on Lake Shore Drive Features
-----------------
The serene beauty of City of Palm Coast’s Waterfront Park delivers a unique experience as visitors enjoy the Intracoastal Waterway. The 20-acre park's numerous amenities include three picnic pavilions, a covered patio, a playground, a fishing pier, a public art sculpture, a floating ADA dock, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and trails that provide the linkage to the City's entire system making it an optimal contender for the Public Space category. Waterfront Park’s design preserved the area's natural beauty and ecological function. It is unique and ecologically diverse, with a coastal scrub community that transitions into a conifer hardwood. It plays host to a large array of native wildlife species. Waterfront Park encompasses the Intracoastal Waterway trail and connections to other trail systems, including Graham Swamp and Linear Park. Visitors often see manatees, dolphins, and birds while strolling along the Intracoastal Waterway Trail.
Palm Coast Waterfront Park Features
-----------------
The urban trail along Ringling Boulevard connects downtown Sarasota to dining, shopping, arts, and recreation, fostering a vibrant community. Recently transformed from a 4-lane to a 2-lane road with 7-ft protected bicycle lanes, the trail links the Legacy Trail Extension to the city’s core. This project supports multimodal transportation, economic development, and recreation. Public outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic, including an online survey, confirmed strong support for protected bike lanes. The trail accommodates diverse users, including the Mennonite community, and incorporates technology, roundabouts, and repurposed materials for safety enhancements. Supported by state and local organizations, the project has received multiple awards. The Ringling Trail is a model for urban planning that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and sustainability, offering a blueprint for similar projects nationwide.
Street Level View of the Ringling Trail
-----------------