Martin County opens Charlie Leighton waterfront park in Palm City

Martin County officials and members of the Leighton family opened the newly reconfigured Charlie (Jock) Leighton waterfront park in Palm City at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning.

Kevin Abbate, Martin County parks and recreation director, said the project built on more than a decade of planning and funding. "It's not simply a boat ramp, but a true waterfront community," Abbate said, listing new pavilions, resilient docks, improved parking and pedestrian connections along the water. He also noted the county expanded lease space for the Treasure Coast Rowing Club to increase program capacity.

The project follows the county's 2023 renovation of the Palm City Community Center and aims to balance boating, fishing, walking and community events on roughly five acres of waterfront property that the county has managed since 1925. Officials acknowledged county staff, contractor partners and local businesses involved in construction and outfitting the park.

The ceremony concluded with county commissioners and staff inviting Ron Rudder and project partners to perform the ribbon cutting and open the site to the public.