Lincoln Park Plaza at 13th and Avenue D is officially becoming a municipal park

Fort Pierce City Commission voted Monday to designate Lincoln Park Plaza at North 13th Street and Avenue D as a municipal park, bringing official park hours and rules to a corner the city has been talking about tying together for a while now 🌳.

City Manager Richard Chess described it as part of a larger vision for the whole corridor, connecting the Highwaymen Museum, 1230 Avenue D and the plaza into something that could eventually become an entertainment, arts and education destination for the community. The designation also opens up new avenues for grants and development that were not available before.

Not everyone left feeling like this was all good news though. Pastor Pinkie Hendley came to the mic and raised concerns about the unhoused people who currently spend time at that corner. Commissioner Gaines echoed that, saying there needs to be real notice and real services in place before park hours start being enforced, not just people being moved along with nowhere to go. A resident also pointed out during public comment that Fort Pierce still has no intake center, and that services need to come alongside any enforcement.

What's next: The city will work on a plan for the corridor and figure out how services for the unhoused get addressed before enforcement kicks in 📅.

💬 What would you want to see at Lincoln Park Plaza? Tell us right here