Connecting with residents
Loving PSL, one block at a time
Something truly special is happening in Port St. Lucie and it’ s unfolding one block at a time. Through the Love Your Block program, powered by the Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University, residents are stepping up, taking ownership and transforming their neighborhood in inspiring ways.
Port St. Lucie is proud to be one of just 16 cities nationwide selected for this initiative. We launched our pilot in the Whispering Pines neighborhood. With 16 mini-grant recipients and 710 volunteers, we’ ve rallied 1,329 people in 2025 to clean 17 acres, install 20 new features— including Little Free Libraries and pet waste stations— plant trees, complete minor home repairs and remove 839 pounds of trash. In 2026, we ' ll move into the second year of this grant-funded program.
And behind every number is a story. Like the pollinator garden that now blooms along Tulip Boulevard, paired with the Little Free Library and seed exchange. Thirty-four volunteers, including Treasure Coast High School’ s Key Club and the grant recipient, helped bring it to life and will keep it thriving. None of this would’ ve been possible without the support of several City departments. Teams from Communications, Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful, Strategic Initiatives and Innovation( Naturally PSL), Public Works and Neighborhood Services were instrumental in bringing these projects to life.
Ambassadors and Youth Council enhance PSL engagement
Port St. Lucie is making it easier than ever for residents to stay informed and involved in what’ s happening across the City. That includes creation of the Ambassador Program, an initiative designed to provide residents with information to share, engage with the community and support City initiatives.
City University is another program designed to connect residents with their City. The nine-week program gives participants a front-row seat to how Port St. Lucie works. The immersive, behind-the-scenes experience has grown rapidly over the past two years. In 2025, 73 graduates completed the program— one of the largest cohorts in program history.
The City also continued to invest in its next generation of leaders through the Youth Council. Now in its third year, the Youth Council welcomed 39 high school students from across the community. These young residents participated in events, shared feedback with City leaders and even helped plan youth-focused initiatives like the Big Summer Blowout.
28 | 2025 City Manager’ s Annual Report