In the heart of North Port, Florida, Downtown Wellen has emerged as the transformative centerpiece of Wellen Park, a master-planned community that has been evolving for over two decades. Led by national multidisciplinary firm Kimley-Horn, the project reimagines the suburban downtown experience, merging environmental stewardship, community connectivity, and timeless design into a vibrant, multifunctional destination.

Wellen Park, formerly known as West Villages, was originally master-planned by Kimley-Horn in the early 2000s, with renewed engagement beginning in 2018. By the fall of 2019, a collaborative design charrette had brought together architects, planners, engineers, and the client - Mattamy Homes' Wellen Park Division - to conceptualize a new downtown core. This effort laid the foundation for dynamic social and recreational hub anchored by the 80-acre Grand Lake and surrounded by nearly 60,000 square feet of mixed-use development.

Scope of Work
Kimley-Horn led the project's design and implementation, delivering landscape architecture, civil engineering, utility design, arboriculture, signage, lighting, EV charging infrastructure, and construction phase services. Their team coordinated with architects and engineers to ensure that every element - from brick streets and splash pads to murals and waterfront detailing - was seamlessly integrated to feel like an established urban lakefront environment.

Project Goals and Vision
The desire was to create a central gathering area that would foster meaningful community interaction while honoring the natural environment. Wellen Park had long lacked a true downtown where residents could gather, celebrate, and connect. The design aimed to fill that void by establishing a space that felt timeless from the outset.

 
Aiding this was the strategic use of new, large plant materials and the relocation of more than 25 mature live oaks, including a 96-inch-diameter specimen that serves as a signature focal point. Downtown Wellen now offers a diverse mix of public spaces and experiences that are often anchored by these majestic oaks, which reflect the values and desired lifestyle of the master-planned community.

Design Method and Process
Beginning with the 2019 charrette and continuing through construction, the process was highly collaborative. Kimley-Horn's team conducted extensive site and context investigations, mapping out a three-mile lakeside trail network that connects Downtown Wellen to 21 miles of community pathways, encourages active transportation, and reinforces the project's commitment to walkability and wellness. The 80-acre lake and surrounding wetlands were carefully studied and enhanced with native littoral plantings and the introduction of 200,000 native fish, creating a self-sustaining habitat that supports both ecological health and recreational use. To ensure this - and that the lake would function effectively as a stormwater facility - the design team worked closely with environmental specialists and regulatory agencies.

Design Details
Downtown Wellen features a rich array of public spaces and amenities designed to support diverse programming and user groups. At its core is a central plaza marked by a kite-inspired shade structure and an event lawn with a performance stage. A nature-themed playground on the west end is shaded by relocated live oaks and includes low, curved, precast concrete seat walls as well as multidirectional seating for parents. Along the lakefront are an outfitter building for kayak and paddleboard rentals, a floating dock with full ADA access, a fishing pier, an indoor-outdoor performance venue and rental space, and a restaurant with sunset views and a shaded promenade.

To establish a defining feature in Downtown Wellen's landscape, Kimley-Horn's arborists identified approximately 30 mature live oaks and ultimately relocated 26 of them into key areas, including at entry monument signs and along the main boulevard. Wide sidewalks, large plant beds, subgrade drainage systems, and specialty paving were designed to safeguard the trees' root zones. Specialty lighting highlights the oaks, enhancing ambiance and safety. These trees provide instant shade, scale, and a sense of permanence, anchoring public spaces and contributing to a timeless aesthetic.

Materials throughout the downtown were selected for their durability and aesthetic appeal, including brick pavers, detailed scored concrete, and natural paths complemented by specialty crosswalks and Ipe deck structures. Signage was thoughtfully integrated to support wayfinding and further reinforce the district's identity.

Environmental Sensitivity
The Grand Lake functions as a master stormwater facility, designed to manage runoff and support ecological balance while improving site utilization and resilience. The lake and surrounding wetlands have successfully managed flooding events that exceeded 500-year rainfall intensity durations during storms in 2023 and 2024, demonstrating the effectiveness of the system. A 90% Florida-native plant palette was selected for its resilience to hurricanes and droughts, featuring species such as Alligator Flag (Thalia geniculate), Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata), Spatterdock (Nuphar advena), and Water Lilies (Nyphaeaceae). These plantings contribute to the ecological character of the area while reducing maintenance needs and enhancing long-term sustainability.

The large open spaces include protected preserves that enhance natural habitats and provide passive pedestrian and paddling recreational opportunities, reflecting a holistic approach to environmental design with infrastructure and ecology working in harmony.

Challenges and Resilience Strategies
The need to design and construct during the COVID-19 pandemic while trying to move from charrette to construction within a year required efficient coordination and a collaborative interdisciplinary design team. The relocation of the oaks - and the specialty construction techniques employed to ensure their long-term health - posed another significant challenge, requiring detailed planning for their orientation, elevation, and protection. Kimley-Horn's landscape architecture team also directed civil engineering partners on drainage, utility placements, and pipe routing to ensure that infrastructure was integrated without compromising the landscape and hardscape design intent.

Outcome and Impact
Since its grand opening in Spring 2023, Downtown Wellen has become a beloved gathering spot for residents and visitors. The mix of offices, retail, restaurants, apartments, and senior living has attracted a diverse range of users, contributing to the vibrancy of Wellen Park. On Friday nights, the downtown comes alive with activity, fulfilling its role as a central hub for connection, recreation, and celebration. Downtown Wellen also exemplifies the leadership of Landscape Architects in managing complex, interdisciplinary projects, and demonstrates how thoughtful design can shape the social and ecological fabric of a community to create places that are beautiful and functional. Through the collaborative process, resilient infrastructure, and timeless aesthetic, this first phase has resulted in a place that the residents of Wellen Park can enjoy for generations to come.


Photo Credit: Chris Cianfaglione, Kimley-Horn

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2025.