Preserving East Palatka, Florida: Lessons on Listening and How Planning Can Help Spark Rural Communities

Located on the east side of the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Fla., East Palatka is a rural farming community that has traditionally been home to potato and cabbage farm laborers. The Gullah Geechee established a community here, and their descendants remain to this day. The community originated in the 19th century and is characterized by brick streets, small-frame residential dwellings, historic churches, a mature natural landscape, and agricultural fields. Seeking to preserve its cultural heritage, limit displacement, and spur equitable economic development opportunities for residents, leaders reached out to the APA Florida Community Planning Assistance Team (CPAT) for their expertise in the fields of public policy, planning, historic preservation, and economic development. Along the way, CPAT volunteers used their professional resources to connect the community with the University of Florida to provide further assistance with the implementation of some goals identified by community members. During this webinar, CPAT participants will share their lessons learned, best practices, and the final report action items. This webinar is ideal for planners who work with underserved and rural communities.