SignatureCity magazine is a free publication produced quarterly by the City of Palm Beach Gardens Public Media Relations Division. SignatureCity is mailed to every household in Palm Beach Gardens, as well as distributed at city facilities. FALL 2025
@CityofPBG
@CityofPalmBeachGardensRecreation
@SandhillCraneGolf
@GardensGreenMarket
@CityofPBG @PBGFire @PBGPD
2 Films on the Field & Live at the Amp
4 City Briefs/Election Information 5 Florida City Week Events 10 Calendar of Events 13 GreenMarket Anniversary/ Football Sundays at Golf 17 Upcoming GardensArt Exhibits 20 Monthly Brunch at The Nest 6 Waves of Renewal: Shaping the Marina District 9 Don’t Fall Into Bad Habits 12 Featured Art – Thomas Jefferson 14 Bright Spots in the Budget 15 From Turkey to Tinsel- Fire Safety
Around Town 18 City Social
by Kim Seng.
CITY BRIEFS
UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
Thursday, October 9, 2025
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Thursday, December 4, 2025
Thursday, January 8, 2026
City Council meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, first floor, City Hall, 10500 N. Military Trail, unless otherwise scheduled.
OTHER WAYS TO WATCH
Can’t make it to the meeting in person? Stay informed from the comfort of your own home!
A General Election of the City of Palm Beach Gardens will be conducted on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Visit www.pbgfl.gov/elections for more information.
Candidate Qualifying Dates
QUALIFYING BY PETITION begins on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and ends on Friday, November 7, 2025, at noon. This is also the deadline for submitting signed petitions to the City Clerk for verification.
QUALIFYING BY FILING FEE begins on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. and ends on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY
SERVE ON A CITY ADVISORY BOARD
Looking for a way to make a difference in our community? We are currently accepting applications for all city boards. To apply complete the application found at www.pbgfl.gov/boardsandcommittees or call 561-799-4122 for more information.
Available City Boards
Art in Public Places Advisory Board
Budget Review Board
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Planning, Zoning & Appeals Board
Firefighters Pension Board
Police Pension Board
*Please contact the City Clerk’s Department for the days and times of the meeting(s).
General Procedures
• Must attend meetings in person
• Shall be a resident of the city (exception is the Budget Review Board)
• Shall not appear before a board or the City Council as an agent or attorney for any person
• Shall not have or hold any employment or contractual relationship that will create a conflict between his or her private interests and the performance of public duties
• Shall not hold employment, office, or have a contractual relationship with the city
• Shall serve at the pleasure of the City Council and may be removed without cause
• Shall serve on only 1 board of the city
• Shall serve without compensation
Florida City Week is back! We’ll be joining cities across the state to raise awareness about the work of municipal government. Cities are the level of government closest to the people and play a big role in enhancing quality of life in communities. More information is available at www.pbgfl.gov/flcityweek.
Join us for the following FREE Florida City Week events!
AIPP SCAVENGER HUNT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 6 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 CITY WIDE!
Kick off Florida City Week by celebrating the city with a canvas around every corner! Visit #CityofPBG social media pages and follow along to find scavenger hunt clues. The fun begins October 6 and PRIZES will be awarded during FL City Week. Scavenger Hunt details and rules can be found at www.pbgfl.gov/aipp.
RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST RECEPTION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20 | 6 P.M. CITY HALL LOBBY (10500 N. MILITARY TRAIL)
Palm Beach Gardens is full of talent! The winning photographs from this year’s contest will be revealed during a special reception at City Hall. The selected entries from the Resident Photography Contest will be showcased in an exhibition at City Hall from October 20 to December 4, 2025.
TOASTS & TOPICS WITH THE MAYOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22 | 5:30-7:30 P.M. BURNS ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER- PALM ROOM (4404 BURNS ROAD)
Join Mayor Tinsley for a relaxed evening discussing local issues, sharing your ideas, and asking questions about what's happening in your City. This informal after-hours event is a great opportunity to connect and engage.
FALL FESTIVAL - JURASSIC SAFARI
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 | 4-8 P.M. THE GARDENS NORTH COUNTY DISTRICT PARK (5101 117TH COURT NORTH)
Adventure awaits at this year’s Fall Festival, where the worlds of dinosaurs and wild safaris collide for a night of family fun. Wear your costume and bring your treat bag for an evening packed with trick-or-treating, music, and high-energy excitement.
SHAPING THE MARINA DISTRICT
Written by Joann Skaria |
Sunny skies, ocean breezes, unique wildlife – enjoyment of the outdoors is a top reason many residents call Palm Beach Gardens home. Enjoyment of our local water-based recreational resources is a popular hobby, whether it be boating, fishing, swimming, or watersports.
Photos by Kim Seng
The City does not currently include ocean-front property within its boundaries; however, several properties within the City are adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway, which provides ocean access through Lake Worth Lagoon. In order to provide distinct character recognition of this important area and to implement valuable feedback from residents, the City Council has adopted a Marina District Overlay. The overlay serves to highlight and protect this important local resource, with a goal to promote the public enjoyment of the Intracoastal Waterway. Along PGA Boulevard today, there are many bustling projects underway. What you see happening in the Marina District Overlay is many years in the making.
HISTORY
In 2006, the City of Palm Beach Gardens, in coordination with a planning consulting firm, conducted a Community Planning Session with City residents and stakeholders to discuss potential building height for new development and redevelopment in different areas of the City. The City was organized into regions and the attendees of the planning session were organized into groups that discussed the appropriate building height for each different region. The process included research and analysis of current height regulations, and two public workshops for resident input were held. A summary report was then presented to the City Council.
THE OVERLAY
The PGA Boulevard and Intracoastal Waterway area was one of the six regions discussed during the City's Community Planning Sessions. The City’s Transit Oriented District (TOD) was another area where residents supported increased height and desnity in a limited area. The final height recommendations for the Marina limited area included a vision for 12-17 stories, with staggered building height, aesthetically pleasing architecture, and wider landscape buffers adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The residents also wanted to see mixed uses, such as shops and restaurants, and open spaces to promote public enjoyment of the water.
An overlay is a flexible zoning tool that allows special standards to be put in place that are tailored to a specific area for a specific purpose. The purpose of the Palm Beach Gardens Marina District is to encourage a mix of uses, provide amenities along the waterfront, protect adjacent residential neighborhoods that protect the waterway, and prioritize public enjoyment of the water. This overlay was first adopted in 2023 in the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which is the guiding vision for managing the City’s growth.
An amendment to the City's Land Development Regulations, also known as the “zoning code”, was also adopted by the City Council later in 2023 to provide a list of permitted uses, specify building height and tiering standards, and other specific code regulations relevant to the Marina District. The codes provided a maximum height of 90 feet, which was approved along with tiering standards to promote compatible development when adjacent to residential properties. Each proposal for a development project has been and will be reviewed and approved in accordance with the criteria established in the City’s zoning code for amendments.
SEASONS 52 THE RIVER HOUSE PORT 32 & SOVEREL HARBOUR SEMINOLE BOAT YARD
THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES WATERWAY CAFÉ
Intracoastal waterway with the Ritz-Carlton Residences (l) and Waterway Café (r).
PROJECTS IN THE OVERLAY
The Ritz-Carlton Residences
This marina, formerly known as PGA Marina, dates back to the 1970s, and contains both wet and dry boat storage slips. The existing marina structures had reached the end of their useful life and have recently been demolished. In October of 2023, with a significant amount of public support, the City Council unanimously voted to approve a major redevelopment of the site. The approved plans include 451 dry storage slips across two buildings with auxiliary retail and showroom space, as well as 20 wet storage slips. During the public hearing, there was a lot of discussion regarding the need for additional and improved boat storage in the north county area.
The planned improvements are safer for the community by storing the boats within the new buildings designed to withstand major hurricane-force winds. The Port 32 project is also forward-thinking – the buildings can accommodate the larger vessels that are the trend in the boating industry. The redevelopment is estimated to represent approximately $80 Million in capital investment and includes high quality architecture and landscaping that matches the demand and caliber of the PGA Boulevard corridor. The new marina will provide a much-needed service in the area, complete with a 5,000-square-foot ship store and improved vehicular and pedestrian access to the River House Restaurant to the north, which is open to the public, provides opportunities for social gatherings near the water, and is also located within in the Marina District.
The former location of the Panama Hattie’s restaurant received approval from Palm Beach County in 2022 for a major redevelopment, and was later annexed into the City of Palm Beach Gardens in January 2023. This project provides a new opportunity in the City for multifamily residential living with views to the Intercoastal Waterway. The Ritz-Carlton Residences plan includes 106 multi-family dwelling units, 23 boat slips, amenities for the residents, and below-grade parking facilities. The approved plan also provides recreational facilities, including a pavilion and boardwalk along the Intracoastal Waterway and other amenities oriented toward enjoyment of the waterfront.
Waterway Café
The Waterway Cafe, which has been in operation since 1986, recently concluded a complete redevelopment under new ownership. The entire site was demolished and modernized in its reconstruction. The new structure, including the iconic skylight, meets current building codes, providing outdoor diving and access for the public to enjoy. The floating dock bar was also completely rebuilt to improve safety standards. This community gem is a longtime favorite gathering spot for Gardens residents, and is revamped to serve the community for many years to come.
Additional properties in the Marina District Overlay include the Seasons 52 restaurant, Soveral Harbor, the Seminole Boat Yard, and in the future could potentially include the recently annexed properties south of the future Ritz Carlton Residences.
Environmental considerations were a top concern for the sustainability of the Intracoastal Waterway and success of the Marina District. The Ritz-Carlton Residences project includes two conservation easements to protect environmentally sensitive areas along the waterway. The Port 32 project included environmental best management practices in accordance with regulations to protect marine habitats and minimize negative impacts such as pollution. And the Waterway Café renovations included a massive overhaul of the existing seawall that was in need of repair. These improvements are consistent with the Coastal Management Element of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, which was a top priority of the Marina District when it was adopted by the City Council.
As the Marina District progresses into the future, the City aims to identify ways to provide additional opportunities for residents to access and enjoy the Intracoastal. We hope to see you by the water!
Port 32 Palm Beach Gardens (pictured above)
DON'T FALL INTO BAD HABITS
Trash Collection Reminders for Palm Beach Gardens residents
1. HOUSEHOLD TRASH should not exceed 50 pounds. Tires, glass, demolition debris or hazardous waste should NOT be put out with household trash.
2. RECYCLING ITEMS should be cleaned before being placed in recycling bins. Place paper and cardboard items into yellow bins (flatten corrugated boxes). Place glass bottles/jars (without lids) and plastics/containers (with lids) in blue bins.
3. BULK ITEMS are items that cannot be containerized, bagged or bundled. Remove all appliance doors. It’s the law. Tires, glass, demolition debris or hazardous waste should NOT be put out with bulk items
4. VEGETATION should not exceed 50 pounds and should not be more than six feet in length, except palm fronds. Tree limbs and trunks should be ten inches or less in diameter. Christmas trees should be cut into eight-foot or smaller sections.
5. ALL TRASH, including containers, bulk trash and/or vegetation piles, should NEVER be placed in the roadway, on sidewalks, or under/ immediately adjacent to trees, utility poles or mailboxes.
Trash can be placed out for collection no earlier than noon the day before your scheduled pickup.
To schedule a pre-arranged collection of vegetation or bulk items on a day OTHER than your regular pickup day, please contact Waste Management’s Customer Experience Team at 561.471.6110 at least 48-hours in advance.
Waste Management will not collect on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, all other holidays will be serviced per normal operation. When the holiday falls on your service day, you will be collected on your NEXT scheduled service day.
TRASH LEAVES
Calendar of Events
EVERY SUNDAY
Football Sundays @ The Nest
Trackman Range Food & Drink Special
1 p.m. – Close
During the regular NFL season
1st Tuesdays
Stories in the Park
9 a.m.
Burns Road Playground
1st Fridays in November-February
Films on the Field Series
6:30 p.m.
Gardens North County District Park
NOW - NOVEMBER 13
Fall Swim Lessons
M-Sa, Various Sessions & Times Aquatic Complex
More info at pbgfl.gov/ SwimLessons
OCTOBER
OCTOBER 16
Artist Reception: Monica Nask
5:30 – 7 p.m.
City Hall Lobby
*see page 17 for a full list of upcoming GardensArt exhibits and receptions
OCTOBER 17
Tot Time: Ghostly Gathering 10 – 11 a.m.
Burns Road Community Center
Schools Out Golf Camp
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Nest Par 3 Clubhouse
“Slices & Slices” Jr. Hitting Frenzy & Pizza Social
5 – 7 p.m.
Tennis & Pickleball Center
OCTOBER 18
Jamie’s Angels Youth
Adaptive Tennis Clinic
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Tennis & Pickleball Center
OCTOBER 20-26
Florida City Week
City Hall Municipal Complex
*See a full list of events on page 5!
OCTOBER 20
Award Reception for PBG
Resident Photo Contest
6 p.m.
City Hall Lobby
OCTOBER 21
Special Magistrate Hearing
2 - 5 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
OCTOBER 22
Toasts & Topics with the Mayor 5:30 p.m.
Burns Road Community Center
OCTOBER 25
“Monster Mixer” Adult Mixed
Doubles & Lunch Tournament
10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Tennis & Pickleball Center
Fall Festival 4 – 8 p.m.
Gardens North County District Park
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 1
"Football Fan Day"
Special Pickleball Event
8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Joseph R. Russo Athletic Complex
Mayor’s Veteran Golf Classic
8 a.m. Shotgun Sandhill Crane Golf Club
Stories in the Park 9 a.m.
Burns Road Playground
NOVEMBER 1 - 5
Men’s Clay National Tennis Tournament
Sa-W 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.*
Tennis & Pickleball Center
*Daily start and end times may vary over the duration of the tournament.
EVERY SUNDAY The Gardens GreenMarket Sponsored in good health by Palm
Live at the AMP: Ultimate Garth
7 - 9 p.m.
Veterans Plaza Amphitheater
JANUARY 11
The Gardens GreenMarket 24th Anniversary
8 a.m. - 1 p.m., Ceremony 9 a.m. City Hall Municipal Campus
JANUARY 13
Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board Meeting
6 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
JANUARY 19-24
“Les Grandes Dames” Women’s Tennis Tournament
M-Sa 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.*
Tennis & Pickleball Center
*Daily start and end times may vary over the duration of the tournament.
JANUARY 19
Schools Out Golf Camp
8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Nest Par 3 Clubhouse
JANUARY 27
Special Magistrate Hearing 2 - 5 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers
Thomas Jefferson
Written and Photographed by David L. Williams II
At the heart of Palm Beach Gardens’ Mirasol Town Square, located at 11408 North Jog Road, a bronze sculpture invites visitors to slow down and engage with history. Crafted by nationally renowned artist George W. Lundeen, the life-size piece portrays Thomas Jefferson sitting casually on a bench, holding a feather pen as he drafts the opening lines of the Declaration of Independence. A few well-worn books balance on his lap, transforming the Founding Father into an approachable figure deep in thought.
The work anchors “Liberty Square,” a shaded courtyard designed for reflection and community. Four smooth sandstone benches rest in the shade of a grand oak, inviting visitors to sit, read or simply reflect on America’s independence and Jefferson’s role in shaping it. Nearby, a 40-foot flagpole that flies the nation’s flag, formerly named “Old Glory,” ties the sculpture to the enduring ideals of freedom and democracy.
Lundeen is celebrated for capturing personality in bronze; his portraits of Benjamin Franklin, Amelia Earhart and other figures appear in plazas and campuses across the country. With Jefferson, he balances dignity and intimacy, inviting residents to step close and share a quiet moment with the man who helped shape a young republic.
Soft down-lighting illuminates the piece each evening, casting gentle shadows across Jefferson’s thoughtful face. Whether admired in daylight or by nightfall glow, the sculpture transforms Mirasol Town Square into more than a gathering space, it’s a conversation between past and present, carved in bronze for all to enjoy.
Bright Spots IN THE BUDGET
Another year, another City budget! You’ll want to make note of this year’s highlights. Below are the key areas City Council approved for the fiscal year (October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026). Palm Beach Gardens continues to stand out with the lowest total tax rate of any north county municipality!
•FY 2026 Property Values: $21.7 Billion
•Overall Increase: 9.64% over last year
•New Construction: $595 million
Property Values: A Bright Rise Millage Rate: Highlighting Stability
•Total Millage Rate: 5.0537
•Debt Rate: $0
*no change from last year
Total City Budget:
$300,284,097
Long Term Highlights
*no change from last year
How much of my tax goes to the city?
About 28 cents of every $1 in total property taxes paid goes to the City.
Other taxing authorities collect about 72 cents of every $1 (PB County, School Board, Health Care District, other special taxing districts).
10-Year Financial Forecast
•Operating millage remains flat at 5.0537 through FY 2035.
•No debt service millage.
•Reserves balance will stay at 20% of expenditures every year, exceeding the Council’s policy minimum of 17%.
•Budget stabilization reserves: projected at $841K in FY 2035.
For an in-depth look at the City’s approved budget, scan the QR code!
From Turkey to Tinsel! From Turkey to Tinsel!
FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
The holidays are a busy time, and with extra cooking, candles, and decorations, the risk of home fires increases.
Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue wants to help you keep the season safe and joyful—so here are a few tips to remember.
Cooking Safety
• Stay alert and pay attention to all cooking materials when cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove and keep an eye on the food. Keep a lid close by to smother any potential fire.
• Keep anything that can catch fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains – away from your stovetop.
Turkey Fryer Safety Video
Turkey Fryer Tips
• Make sure the turkey is thawed and completely dry. Water mixed with oil can cause the pot to overflow, flame up or even explode.
• Turkey fryers should only be used outdoors, on a flat, non-wooden surface and at a safe distance away from homes and flammables.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby and do not use water to put out a grease fire.
• Do not leave fryer unattended and make sure to keep pets and children away.
• Determine the amount of oil needed by first dipping turkey into the pot with water.
Candle Safety
Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles.
Make sure to extinguish all candles when you are finished in a room or go to bed.
Christmas Tree Safety
• Only use lights that have been tested by a nationally recognized laboratory such as UL.
• Water natural trees DAILY! When tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. Christmas Tree Safety Video
• Do not overload light strands, outlets, power strips or extension cords.
• Use flame resistant or flame-retardant decorations.
Publix
Avenir Town Center is currently under construction, and the much-anticipated Publix is taking shape. The grocery store was initially prepared to open in late 2024 but was severely damaged in October of that year when a tornado touched down in the Avenir community. The store is now being reconstructed and is expected to open in May 2026. Avenir Town Center is approved for up to 200,000 square feet of commercial space with a mix of dining, retail and boutique shops.
Street Address: 12001 Northlake Boulevard
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen
Palm Beach Gardens residents will soon have a new place to chow down. Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen has been approved (without a drive-thru) in Gardens Towne Square. Construction is expected to last approximately six to eight weeks and should be completed by late 2025. Gardens Towne Square is located on the south side of Northlake Boulevard, just east of North Military Trail.
Street Address: 4198 Northlake Boulevard
Written by Ki Ki Hobbs Drone Photos by David L. Williams II
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens
You may have noticed that Downtown Palm Beach Gardens looks a little different. This year, a new shared street opened to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians, connecting Downtown Gardens’ Alternate A1A entrance to Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue. This type of roadway is called a “woonerf.” It uses a trafficcalming design to force vehicles to slow down and safely share road space with walkers and cyclists. The Downtown Palm Beach Gardens woonerf features a uniform, multi-use surface with no defined curbs or separation from sidewalk spaces.
Downtown Palm Beach Gardens is also expanding its dining and retail options. J. Crew Factory, which is the outlet brand for the clothing company J. Crew, is expected to open in late 2025. Also opening later this year are two new dining options: Pura Vida Miami, a health food café, and Van Leeuwen Ice Cream.
Street Address: 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Avenue
SCOTT KLIMEK
“Under It All” Abstract Art inspired by Marine Life and Universal Patterns that Shape all Living Things
EXHIBIT DATES: NOW – Nov 6
ARTIST RECEPTION: Nov 6, 5:30 – 7 p.m.
CHELSI SMITH
“Linen Skies” Mixed Media
EXHIBIT DATES: Nov 10 - Jan 8 (no artist reception)
*Hours may vary due to special events or other programs
RESIDENT PHOTOGRAPHY
CONTEST EXHIBITION Celebrating Florida City Week
EXHIBIT DATES: Oct 20 – Dec 4
PHOTO CONTEST REVEAL/AWARD
RECEPTION: Oct 20, 6-7 p.m.
PALM BEACH MODERN
QUILT GUILD
LAWRENCE LEYDERMAN
“Treasure and Palm” Photography
EXHIBIT DATES: Oct 23 – Jan 13 (no artist reception)
LOCATION: Sandhill Crane Golf Clubhouse
9500 Sandhill Crane Dr
EXHIBIT HOURS: Dawn to Dusk
“Pieced in Paradise: A Modern Quilt Exhibition” Exhibit Dates: Dec 8 – Jan 29
ARTIST RECEPTION: Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild Dec 9, 5 – 7 p.m.
LOCATION:
City Hall Lobby 10500 N. Military Trail
EXHIBIT HOURS: Weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Linen Skies by Chelsi Smith
Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild
City Social
AUGUST 12, 2025
Congratulations to the City-run Riverside Youth Enrichment Center for earning an “EXCELLENT” rating from the Florida Department of Education for its 2024-25 VPK program. Recognized for quality, achievement and learning gains, Riverside continues to set the standard in helping children learn and thrive.
City of Palm Beach Gardens
10500 N Military Trail Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
