WILDLIGHT, FL. – Feb. 16, 2021 – Del Webb, the nation’s leading builder of active adult communities for those 55 and older, has announced a new community, Del Webb Wildlight, coming to Nassau County near Amelia Island within the master-planned community of Wildlight.

“We are pleased to welcome Del Webb to Wildlight as the community’s first neighborhood for active adults,” said Wes Hinton, Vice President of Wildlight. “Del Webb’s strong brand recognition for quality design, resort-style amenities and close community connection makes it the ideal fit for Wildlight and our Florida Lowcountry lifestyle. As the gateway to the state of Florida and one of the fastest growing counties in North Florida, Nassau County and Wildlight offer a perfect launching point for this best-in-class active adult builder.”

Located just north of Jacksonville and south of the Georgia line, Del Webb Wildlight will include up to 660 single-family and villa homes. Del Webb will build on 33- to 65-foot-wide homesites and offer 16 consumer inspired floor plans ranging in size from 1,343 to 3,339 square feet. Development is currently underway with models projected to open in early 2022 and new homes starting in the $200s.

“We are excited to partner with Wildlight to expand our Del Webb brand into Nassau County,” said Tony Nason, Vice President of Operations of PulteGroup’s North Florida Division. “With the increasing active adult demand in Northeast Florida, Wildlight’s proximity to Amelia Island’s world class beaches, the Jacksonville International Airport, and the Florida state line makes it the perfect location for our next Del Webb community.”

Del Webb Wildlight residents will enjoy the active-adult lifestyle with approximately six acres of recreational areas that include a 12,000-square-foot amenity center designed for group activities and gatherings, a resort-style and lap pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park and more. Del Webb Wildlight will have more than 10 miles of walking trails winding through the community, linking the neighborhood to other parks, amenities, the YMCA, and neighborhood restaurants in Wildlight.

Wildlight is a master-planned, mixed-use community offering plenty of opportunities for exploration and recreation. Wildlight homes and community amenities are designed using Florida Lowcountry (FLOCO) inspired architecture, with sweeping porches and window transoms to maximize views of the community’s lakes, natural wetlands and wooded areas. Wildlight is a natural gas community and the first Gigabit community in Nassau County, providing the area’s fastest internet. The community is on State Road 200 between I-95 and U.S. Highway 17 in Nassau County, conveniently located 12 miles from Amelia Island and 12 miles from Jacksonville International Airport.

PulteGroup has two additional popular age-restricted Del Webb communities in Northeast Florida. The communities, which offer active-adult living and a variety of amenities, include Del Webb eTown and Del Webb Nocatee. For more information, visit www.delwebb.com.

NASSAU COUNTY, FL – Oct. 2, 2020 — UF Health Jacksonville and the YMCA of Florida’s First Coast cut the ribbon today on a new joint project in the heart of Wildlight in Nassau County, a combination rehabilitation facility and fitness center that will bring the latest innovations in healthy living to a rapidly growing part of Northeast Florida.

UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight has 36,000 square feet of space and offers adult and pediatric rehabilitation services, including physical and occupational therapy and speech language pathology, and a healthy living center. The new facility includes 5,000 square feet of rehabilitation space to provide specialized, one-on-one care, along with a 25,000-square-foot YMCA. Future expansion of the building is expected to add more than 15,000 square feet for specialty rehab services.

“This is a great day for Wildlight and Nassau County because the people who live here can now get the best possible rehabilitation services along with an amazing, state-of-the-art fitness facility, all right here in their community,” said Jeanne Bradshaw, P.T., D.P.T., director of rehabilitative services for UF Health Jacksonville.

This is the second facility UF Health has recently opened in Wildlight. Last December, UF Health Wildlight opened at 76011 William Burgess Blvd. It provides comprehensive health services, advanced medical technology and outstanding care opened in the heart of Nassau County. The medical complex includes family medicine, pediatrics, women’s services, dentistry, an urgent care center and more.

“Residents of Wildlight and the communities around it now have access to the most advanced health care and rehabilitative services possible, all alongside a fantastic YMCA that offers the most complete and innovative fitness resources possible,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “When we kicked off this Wildlight collaboration several years ago, this was our vision, and it’s rewarding for all of us to see it come to fruition.”

The new YMCA will include a fitness center, group exercise studios, an indoor running track, a dedicated area for children to explore, play and learn while their parents are working out, and more, including the availability to take part in youth sports leagues and education programs.

“The First Coast YMCA is thrilled to officially open the Wildlight YMCA to the growing Nassau County community and surrounding areas, including St. Marys,” said Eric K. Mann, the president and CEO of YMCA of Florida’s First Coast. “More than a gym, the new Wildlight YMCA will serve as a total wellness destination for the community by combining the YMCA’s tools and resources focused on healthy living with the medical expertise of UF Health. We know this location will provide critical programming to connect families and neighbors together safely for generations to come.”

The new UF and YMCA facility is part of Wildlight’s master-planned community located east of Interstate 95 and A1A. It is the latest step in a strategic collaboration with UF Health, the University of Florida, the YMCA and developer Raydient Places + Properties and offers high-quality health care for residents living in Wildlight and the surrounding communities.

“We are appreciative of our strategic alliance with UF Health, the University of Florida and the YMCA to break the mold of conventional community development with a new national model for healthier master-planned communities,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The opening of the UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight facility is another testament of our commitment toward healthy living in Wildlight and offers convenient access to the highest quality of health and wellness services across North Jacksonville. It also marks the completion of our dynamic vision that we began working on together three years ago, and we are thrilled for residents and the surrounding community to now enjoy these services that will enhance their well-being.”

When Wildlight resident Crystal Cook recently moved from Brunswick, Georgia, she traded a 45-minute commute for a 3-minute walk to work.

Wildlight’s walkability was a major selling point for Crystal, who enjoys getting her steps in and going on early morning strolls through the trails. But the biggest selling point for her was Wildlight’s central location to everything she needs. “The grocery stores, the restaurants, the shopping, the doctors’ offices—everything is right here in one place and it’s very convenient,” Crystal said.

She also likes being so close to all the nearby hotspots in Northeast Florida and Southern Georgia. “If you like more of a nightlife and you want to hop down to River City, we’re 15 minutes away from that exit. If you’ve got family in Georgia, like I do, you’re just right down the interstate. It’s a very good location. I really enjoy being right here,” she said.

Crystal tells us she has had a wonderful experience getting to know her friendly neighbors at The Lofts at Wildlight. “They’re all very nice. I enjoy them,” she said. “If I’m not at home and I have a package delivered, they actually pick it up for me and put it inside and send me a little text letting me know they got it.”

When it comes to the future of Wildlight, Crystal is looking forward to watching the community grow. “Knowing what’s coming, it’s gonna be the best place to be,” she said.

WILDLIGHT, FL – Sept. 28, 2020 – Skinner Bros. Realty is expanding in Nassau County with the completion of its second multi-tenant retail complex in Wildlight. The new mixed-use retail and restaurant space will continue to transform the master-planned community’s central Village Center, with new tenants slated to open winter 2021.

“The pandemic has maximized Wildlight’s need for more convenient access to service retail,” said Chet Skinner, vice president of Skinner Bros. Realty. “As Nassau County continues to grow at an impressive rate, especially in the area near Interstate 95, there is increased demand for services that retain homebuyers. Our newest retail complex strengthens the appeal of the Wildlight market by providing access to additional amenities and everyday services that area locals desire close to home.”

Skinner Bros. Realty began construction on the commercial complex located at 40 Homegrown Way in early 2020 and finished development in September 2020. The new mixed-use building is an extension of The Village Center’s first multi-tenant complex that opened early last year, adding 11,670 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space. It is designed to capture the inspiration of an open-air market with spaces that flow into each other, including an outdoor courtyard and covered dining area.

Skinner Bros. Realty leased the building’s available space to four tenants that will begin buildout this fall and join a cohesive mix of hospitality and lifestyle services at The Village Center. Family-owned restaurant Anejo Cocina Mexicana will bring fresh, from-scratch dishes and an upbeat atmosphere to the area, expanding from its current Ponte Vedra Beach location and new planned location in the Brooklyn neighborhood near downtown Jacksonville. Hana Sushi & Asian is a fast-casual service concept that will offer Asian fusion cuisine and sushi, blending fresh ingredients with exotic flavors.

Additional tenants confirmed to open at the site include DEP Nail Salon, a luxury salon that will offer nail, eyelash extension and waxing services, and Firehouse Subs, a locally founded fast-casual restaurant chain that will bring hot specialty subs and more. They’ll join Royal Amelia Dance Academy, Great Clip’s, Cold Stone Creamery and Tasty’s Fresh Burgers and Fries, all of which opened last year at The Village Center.

“We’re very pleased to continue working with the talented Skinner Bros. Realty team to further define Wildlight as an ideal place to live, work and play,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “Their deep understanding of North Florida’s real estate market has helped us ensure the community remains a safe and quality investment for residents and future homebuyers by providing the conveniences of an established town with a rich mixture of amenities at The Village Center and beyond.”

In addition to the new multi-tenant complex, Wildlight recently began development on its second neighborhood, Forest Park. The growing neighborhood will bring more than desirable homes to the master-planned community by nationally recognized builders Mattamy Homes and Riverside Homes. Yulee KinderCare and St. Clare Early Learning Center also opened in Wildlight this summer, providing additional early education and faith-based learning opportunities for the area. The UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight center is slated to open in October 2020, which will offer residents a new style of healthy living.

For more information about Wildlight, please visit www.wildlight.com.

About Skinner Bros. Realty

Skinner Bros. Realty Company, established in January 1999, is a developer, investor, owner and manager of retail, office and mixed-use properties. The firm specializes in acquisition, planning, permitting, development and marketing of real estate as well as the representation of individual and corporate clients in the search for premier business locations.

About Wildlight

Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information please visit Wildlight.com.

These two simple words are the driving force behind what makes Wildlight the unique Florida Lowcountry community we love to call home. But what does it mean to be thoughtfully designed and how does it set Wildlight apart from other master-planned communities?

One of the most common things we hear from prospective homeowners about what drew them to Wildlight is its connection to nature. With over a thousand acres of conserved forest land, miles of hiking and biking trails and plenty of open green space, there are endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the neighborhood.

This deep bond with the natural Northeast Florida environment is intentional and one of the main facets of Wildlight’s design. And it doesn’t stop at the doorstep of our homes. Each single-family home and townhome is built with a variety of green features including sustainable materials and landscapes, energy-saving natural gas and more.

Wildlight’s walkability furthers this connection with nature by reducing carbon emissions and also promotes healthy living, another key component of the community’s thoughtful design. Interconnected pathways join nature, neighborhoods, amenities, Wildlight Elementary School, local businesses and health facilities.

Our strategic collaboration with the University of Florida and UF Health gives residents convenient access to health services at UF Health’s Medical Office Complex, Urgent Care and Rehabilitation facilities. The new First Coast YMCA, scheduled to open in October, will offer residents even more ways to stay healthy with fitness equipment, group exercise classes, sports programs and health education.

Such a physically interconnected community naturally fosters yet another important connection—the human one.

Even with social distancing guidelines in effect, you’ll find neighbors chatting from their front porches, small groups of friends enjoying socially-distanced backyard barbecues and joggers waving as they pass by. And once life goes back to normal, residents will once again enjoy neighborhood potlucks, community events in the heart of town and fun nights out in nearby Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville.

All of this—interconnectedness between people, places, nature and health—is part of the thoughtful design that makes Wildlight a wonderful place to live, work and play.

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YULEE, FL – The first few years of a child’s life are some of the most formative, and the Diocese of St. Augustine is working hard to provide young children with the best education possible with St. Clare Early Learning Center.

St. Clare will officially open on Monday, August 10. And while school districts across Florida struggle to find ways to protect faculty and students from COVID-19, the diocese’s early learning centers have remained open throughout the pandemic, providing parents a safe place for their children to stay while they return to work.

Bishop Felipe Estévez of the Diocese of St. Augustine will bless and dedicate the building on August 22, at 10 a.m. Several dignitaries will be on hand for the ceremony. The early learning center is located at 307 Franciscan Way in Yulee (32097), in Wildlight, a master-planned community by Raydient Places + Properties in Nassau County near I-95 and A1A. It is the ninth early learning center built by the diocese in recent years. The diocese owns and operates five early learning centers, and four centers are parish-based.

“We are so excited to bring a Catholic early learning center to Nassau county, especially to the new Wildlight community, as our first step,” said Deacon Scott Conway, superintendent of Catholic schools of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

“As families entrust their children to us, as our mission statement says, ‘[w]e believe in providing programs that truly enhance the emotional, social, physical, spiritual and intellectual growth of young children.’ We are looking forward to continued expansion on this piece of property with a Catholic church, school and parish hall.”

St. Clare will serve children as young as six weeks to 4-year-olds and can accommodate up to 177 children. Catholic school officials expect to draw families from Yulee, Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island, and even Southern Georgia, including Kings Bay Navy Base, of the Diocese of Savannah. Construction began last fall on the 19,810 square-foot building, and it cost $6.2 million.

“We are proud to welcome St. Clare Early Learning Center to Wildlight and further our commitment to investing in the lives and futures of our community’s children,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties.

“As the area’s first religion-centered educational system, St. Clare expands upon our current high-quality learning facilities by providing a nurturing environment where students can learn in their faith, values and academics. We look forward to the meaningful and impactful education opportunities that it will bring.”

To learn more about St. Clare Early Learning Center, visit www.stclareelc.org.

WILDLIGHT, Fla. – July 29, 2020 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced that Yulee KinderCare has opened a 10,000-square-foot early childhood education and care facility in Wildlight. The nationally recognized learning center will serve more than 140 children, ages six weeks to 12 years old, and offer high-quality programs in safe nurturing environments where kids can learn, grow and build confidence for life.

“Here at the Yulee KinderCare, we have a dedicated, experienced teaching team who are passionate about the education and wellbeing of young children,” said Kelli Watson, center director at Yulee KinderCare. “We believe all children can reach their full potential through high-quality education, positive guidance, inclusion and love. Our philosophy, curriculum and inclusivity make us the best company to our industry. I am so excited to welcome families to our center, so they can experience the incredible learning environment our teachers create every day.”

In order to open the child care center both properly and safely, KinderCare Learning Centers has partnered with medical experts to redesign their daily health and safety practices, which in many cases go beyond state and CDC guidelines. Some of the steps that Yulee KinderCare will follow every day to ensure the continued health of children and employees in their care include:

• Restricted access to classrooms.
• Frequent handwashing and surface/toy sanitizing.
• All staff members must wear masks.
• Temperature checks and health questionnaires are required for anyone entering the center.
• Health screenings throughout the day.
• Strict exclusion for illness policy.
• Social distancing in classrooms, when appropriate for age groups.
• Protocol in place to ensure a quick response should anyone in the center be diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19.

“We are excited to welcome Yulee KinderCare to Wildlight as the community’s first child care provider,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The center will provide Wildlight’s growing number of families with a safe, nurturing education program and strong foundation for learning that directly aligns with our fundamental values and will. “

Yulee KinderCare includes nine total classrooms, an indoor gym, fully equipped outdoor playground and wellness screening station. The center will also employ 17 staff members who have nearly 250 years’ worth of collective experience in early childhood education. Centrally located within Wildlight at 110 Floco Avenue, the facility is within easy walking distance to the fast-growing Nassau County community’s essential amenities, businesses and experiences.

KinderCare Learning Centers is the nation’s largest private provider of early childhood education and care, helping hardworking families pursue their personal and professional dreams. The community of passionate teachers and staff strive to make each child’s potential shine and impart a lifelong love of learning and helping children build confidence for life.

About Wildlight

Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes and rental apartments together with businesses, shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of connecting trails and pathways intended to promote a walkable community and healthy lifestyle. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes throughout 260 acres, approximately. In addition, the community will have approximately 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight offers comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living located 20 miles North of Jacksonville and just East of Interstate-95 on A1A. There is easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information please visit www.wildlight.com.

About KinderCare^® Learning Centers

KinderCare Learning Centers is America’s largest, most accredited child care provider, serving hardworking families across the country. For more than 50 years, we’ve been creating safe, encouraging environments where kids can learn, grow and build confidence for life. At KinderCare, hardworking families are family—regardless of needs, backgrounds, and experiences. To learn more, visit us online at KinderCare, on Facebook or on Instagram. For resources, information, and activity ideas for parents and teachers of young children please visit KinderCare.com/blog.

WILDLIGHT, FL. – June 19, 2020 – Raydient Places + Properties announced today that Mattamy Homes and Riverside Homes have been selected as the newest homebuilders in Wildlight. Together, the nationally recognized companies will bring single-family homes to Forest Park, a new neighborhood being developed in the Nassau County master-planned community.

“We have partnered with Riverside Homes and Mattamy Homes because of their exceptional commitment to their customers,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “As respected industry leaders, they have a reputation for architectural excellence and understand our Florida Lowcountry philosophy for the Forest Park collection of homes.”

Founded in 1978, Mattamy Homes is recognized as North America’s largest privately-owned homebuilder. The leading homebuilding brand has built more than 100,000 homes across North America and has a long history of offering exceptional townhomes and single-family homes in desirable locations throughout Northeast Florida. Mattamy’s expansion into Nassau County is the latest example of the company’s commitment to having a major presence in the Florida homebuilding industry.

“Mattamy Homes is excited to become a part of Wildlight and enter the Nassau County market,” said Cliff Nelson, Jacksonville division president of Mattamy Homes. “The desirable area’s high opportunity for growth nicely complements our other Northeast Florida markets. We look forward to continuing Wildlight’s existing vision and Florida Lowcountry brand, while also introducing our unique and thoughtful designs to future buyers.”

Riverside Homes is a locally owned homebuilder founded by visionaries Chris Wood and Matt Roberts who have a combined two decades of experience in the Jacksonville market. Applauded and recognized for their exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to continuously elevating the standard in new home construction, Riverside Homes was cast into the international spotlight as the builder of the 2019 Southern Living Idea House in Amelia Island. As an award-winning builder, the company provides value, quality and innovative designs that fit the way buyers live and goes above and beyond to build each customer home as if it were their own. Riverside Homes will offer homes set on 70-foot “manor” lots, the largest available homesites in Wildlight’s Forest Park neighborhood.

“As a Northeast Florida builder, Riverside Homes understands the deep roots of Nassau County and its distinct character and culture that defines Florida Lowcountry,” said Chris Wood, vice president at Riverside Homes. “We are excited to work with Wildlight to bring these philosophies to life within the homes of Forest Park and look forward to creating a signature experience that exceeds the expectations of prospective homebuyers.”

Forest Park will join Wildlight’s first neighborhood, Founder’s Park, and offer close proximity to community amenities and businesses such as Wildlight Elementary School, the First Coast YMCA at Wildlight and Waterbug Park. Influenced by the surrounding natural landscape and nature trails, the architecture of the homes will embody a Florida Lowcountry and coastal luxe aesthetic. The homes will also feature family-friendly floor plans and outdoor living spaces, such as sweeping porches and large lanais, high-quality building materials and sustainable landscapes.

Additional construction plans and designs are forthcoming. Riverside Homes and Mattamy Homes are expected to begin construction on the model homes this summer with completion slated for fall.

About Wildlight

Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information, please visit www.wildlight.com.

About Mattamy Homes
Mattamy Homes is the largest privately-owned homebuilder in North America, with more than 40 years of operations history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of home ownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 10 markets – Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its US head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida – and in Canada, its communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area, as well as in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.

About Riverside Homes

Riverside Homes is a locally owned homebuilder that is committed to providing exceptional value, quality and innovative designs that homeowners are looking for. As an award-winning homebuilder, Riverside Homes was recently voted “Best of St. Augustine,” winner of “Best of Houzz” three years running and the recipient of many other awards and accolades. Riverside Homes is currently building in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, St. Johns and Fleming Island. For more information about Riverside Homes, call 904-530-4720 or visit www.MyRiversideHome.com.

These days, getting outdoors is a rare retreat, and hiking is a great way to enjoy the best of nature while getting some exercise in as well. You can take in the sights, discover local plants and animals, and soak up the sun. Plus, you’ll knock out your daily steps goal and get a healthy dose of cardio in for the day.

Wildlight is proud to announce its first set of hiking trails has opened, part of a larger plan for more than 10 miles of hiking throughout its community. With a variety of options including paved and natural paths, with routes of varying lengths, anyone can find the perfect route for an outdoor excursion. It’s one more way nature meets the neighborhood in this Floco community.

But wherever you hike, it’s important to be prepared to make sure you have a fun and safe experience on the trails. Here are a few tips for a healthy, happy hike:

1. Think feet first. Get a comfortable pair of hiking boots or walking shoes. After a few miles, a little cushioning will make a world of difference.
2. Stick to the trail. Unless you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or experienced with a map and compass, you don’t want to get lost. Maintained trails are the best way to know where you’re going.
3. Consider a hiking backpack for small children. Young ones love to get outdoors, but may need to rest sooner than you’d like. A hiking backpack with a child seat avoids the issues of a stroller on the rough terrain, and protects your back by distributing the weight appropriately.
4. Stay hydrated. Even a leisurely hike can use up your body’s water, so be sure to bring a bottle of water or other hydrating beverage to avoid cramps and heat afflictions.
5. Plan to eat. In addition to hydrating, refueling is critical to finishing that hike without feeling miserable. If it’s an all-day hike, be sure to have a lunch that will provide some protein and carbohydrates to keep you going. For shorter hikes, snacks like nuts, trail mix or cereal bars will keep you going.
6. Be a good trail neighbor. When you come upon other hikers, be courteous and make room for others to pass; it only takes a few seconds and makes everyone’s day easier.

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WILDLIGHT, FL. – June 4, 2020 – Today, Raydient Places + Properties announced the opening of a new, expansive recreational trails system in Wildlight. Spanning more than 10 miles, the system brings additional natural and healthy living amenities to the Nassau County community including pathways, parks and scenic observation sites. The network of trails will launch in two phases with the first phase currently open to residents and the general public.

“Wildlight was designed to set a new standard for well-being and healthy living by creating a closer relationship between community and the natural environment,” said Chris Corr, president of Raydient Places + Properties. “The extensive trails network brings together active lifestyles and outdoor recreation with the richness of Florida Lowcountry that is distinctly unique to Nassau County. As another wellness amenity, it furthers our vision to enhance walkability and the area’s quality of life through easily accessible outdoor and wellness resources.”

Beginning at the intersection of Wildlight Avenue and State Road 200, the trails system features various paved, gravel and natural routes that link neighborhoods, amenities, school systems, local businesses and shopping areas in Wildlight. The network’s first phase to open features more than six miles of trails across five different routes. The routes and loops range from less than a half-mile to nearly three miles in length and are designated on public lands maintained by the East Nassau Stewardship District. Once completed, the second phase of the system will bring more than four additional miles of trails to the community.

The expansive system’s curvilinear routes offer views of changing landscapes ranging from the surrounding Florida Lowcountry-inspired neighborhoods to natural wetlands. Its moderate terrain is ideal for all skill levels of walking, hiking and biking activities. Scenic overlooks for wildlife observation and picnic areas have also been created along the pathways to allow for moments to enjoy recreational activities and programming.

UF Health Jacksonville and White Oak strategically collaborated with the Wildlight development team to design the trails network, which also includes interpretive learning opportunities.

“We are proud to have collaborated with Wildlight on its new trails system,” said Brandy Carvalho, development & sustainability manager of White Oak. “The system will be a lasting legacy for the community and help further our conservation mission in Nassau County by educating the public about the compatibility of neighborhoods and nature. It also gives opportunities for those of all ages and interests to enjoy outdoor recreation amid wildlife in a natural environment.”

“The trails network is just one of the essential elements that Wildlight has established in order to create a health-conscious community focused on well-being,” said Leon L. Haley Jr., M.D., MHSA, CEO of UF Health Jacksonville and dean of the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville. “One of the intentional aspects of the network is its connection to the First Coast YMCA at Wildlight that is scheduled to open by the end of the year. We also plan to utilize the network as another way to promote our mission to make healthy living a top priority and easily accessible across all of Northeast Florida.”

About Wildlight

Wildlight is envisioned as a new town inspired by a character, culture and pattern of living that we call “Florida Lowcountry,” where play is a part of every day and the natural world is a natural part of life. The plan for Wildlight includes a mix of homes, townhomes and rental apartments together with shops and restaurants, a new elementary school and a system of trails and pathways intended to make it healthy and walkable and connect it all together. Our Phase 1 plan is flexible and currently designed for about 1,000 homes across about 260 acres plus nearly 350 acres of permanently preserved open space. Wildlight will offer comfortable and friendly Florida Lowcountry living 20 miles north of Jacksonville, just east of Interstate 95 on A1A, with easy access to both Amelia Island and the Jacksonville International Airport. Wildlight is being created by Raydient Places + Properties, a taxable subsidiary of Rayonier Inc., a real estate investment trust. For more information please visit Wildlight.com.