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Things to do on Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach

When you live in Wildlight, you’re just 20 minutes from the sights, sand and surf of Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach. And while the water is certainly a big attraction there, you’ll also find plenty of other ways to spend your day in the beach town. 

Hit the links
You’ll find an impressive variety of golf courses on Amelia Island (opens in new tab), whether you’re a beginner or more seasoned player. From the prestigious Amelia River Club, with its live marshes and towering trees, to the Fernandina Beach Golf Club, where you can improve your shots (and have fun with friends) at the Toptracer-powered Lighthouse Driving Range, there are 99 holes to be played on the island. You’ve maybe even seen some of them on “best of” lists by Golf Digest and Conde Nast Traveler. And if you prefer your golf to be more of the ‘miniature’ type, there are options for that as well.     

Listen to music
There’s no shortage of places to hear live music when you come to the island. Stop by the iconic Palace Saloon or the laid-back Green Turtle, both with impressive live music sets on the weekends — including Wildlight’s own Sean McCarthy (if you see him downtown, ask him to sing the “Wildlight song” for you.)  Or enjoy dinner with a side of music at restaurants like Sandbar Amelia Island, Slider’s Seaside Grill, Kitchen251 or Salt Life (which all feature amazing views, too.) If you’re heading to Amelia Island without kids, consider Amelia River Cruises’ adults-only, BYOB sunset river cruise, complete with local musicians on board. 

Ride on the beach
Just when you thought an Amelia Island sunrise or sunset couldn’t get more beautiful, you get the chance to experience it with a horseback ride on the beach (opens in new tab). Perfect for families or romantic proposals, if it’s not already on your bucket list, you may want to add it.  

Take a tour via trolley
It just might be the best (and cutest) way to see the historic sights and landmarks on the island. From downtown Fernandina Beach to Old Town (and everywhere in between) this 1.5-hour trolley tour (opens in new tab) is like a taking a trip back in time.  

Go from one island to another 

Pack a picnic and hop on a boat tour to Cumberland Island (opens in new tab). Offered seven days a week, you can choose your own adventure, from a narrated sightseeing ride to a sunset cruise with live music. Explore the island and keep your eyes out for dolphins, sea turtles … and the main awe-inspiring attraction, wild horses. And speaking of animals, the cruises are pet-friendly, so your furry family members are welcome.

Support local artists

You’ll find plenty of art galleries on Amelia Island, with local artists displaying and selling everything from paintings to pottery. A few to note: Blue Door Artists (opens in new tab), Plantation Artists’ Guild & Gallery (opens in new tab) and the Island Art Association (opens in new tab) — which also offers classes and workshops for kids and adults. 

Shop, eat, repeat 

If you just want to browse (or grab a brew),  Downtown Amelia Island (opens in new tab) offers plenty of stores, coffee shops and restaurants. You don’t even need to know what you’re looking for … because chances are very good that you’ll find something you didn’t even know you needed. 

Live near it all

Your perfect home is waiting at Wildlight. And the sooner you move in, the sooner you’ll be able to spend your days just 20 minutes away on Amelia Island. 

Photo source: Amelia Island (opens in new tab)

So you’ve heard the news, right? That would be the news about what’s coming to Wildlight — a whole other side of the community, immersed in nature and connected to the St. Marys River. (If you haven’t heard, you should hit pause on this story and take a few minutes to watch the video (opens in new tab).) 

Ok, so if you know that story or at least watched the vid, you know the other side of Wildlight will begin with a place called the Garden District, which will include a variety of neighborhoods, miles of trails and acres upon acres of parks and pure unadulterated nature. And at this point you may be asking yourself a couple questions. Beginning with: exactly what is Wildlight growing into? 

In short, Wildlight is becoming a town. That means more than just homes. It means the full spectrum of community. Workplaces. A grocery store. Schools and daycare centers. Banks and boutiques and burger joints. And what that adds up to is a place where you can walk or bike more and drive less. A place that lives like a small town because it is a small town.

Maybe another question is: if the new part of Wildlight is called the Garden District, then what is the existing part of Wildlight called? 

Well, we started with the piece of Wildlight that will contain most of the community’s offices, shops and restaurants. It also includes plenty of neighborhoods where you can buy a lovely new home. But because of the businesses that are here and the businesses that are coming, you can think of this first part of Wildlight as the downtown of the community. So, we’re calling it the Town District. 

And finally: will Wildlight add more districts after the Garden District? 

Yes, over the coming years and decades, Wildlight will continue to grow. And the beautiful thing about Wildlight is how it’s been designed to become even more diverse and interesting as it grows. So at every stage, it will have so much to offer and yet so much more to look forward to.

When choosing a home that’s right for you and your family, the typical must-haves are 3+ bedrooms, a big kitchen with plenty of space to sit and roam, and maybe even a pool (make that definitely if you live here in Florida), but what if we told you you could have all that and so much more in Wildlight? You might just find your dinner plates overflowing. 

Wildlight is known for its 12+ miles of trails and parks, Florida low country homes and endless amounts of green outdoor space. But Lauren Titus, Editor-in-Chief and Partner for Edible Northeast Florida magazine, views the community a little more appetizing than that. In the latest issue (opens in new tab) dedicated all to HEAT, Titus highlights Wildlight for not only being a hot spot for homeowner growth but also “up-and-comers with local restaurateurs and food makers looking for untapped potential.”

With over eight eateries to choose from, we know the where-to-go decision can be hard to make. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Check out four restaurants that will never not hit the spot in Wildlight. 

Anejo Cocina: (opens in new tab) Mexican restaurant and handcrafted cocktails 

Grumpy’s Restaurant: (opens in new tab) Home-style breakfast, lunch and brunch options

Hana Sushi: (opens in new tab) Asian inspired cuisine

Mocama Taproom and Coffeehouse: (opens in new tab) Coffee, beer and wine gathering space 

Tasty’s Fresh Burgers: (opens in new tab) Burgers. Fries. Shakes. Say less! 

Okay… the decision may be a little harder than we thought. But when you call Wildlight home, you’ll never have to worry about everyone’s least favorite question – “what’s for dinner?”  You can experience all of our delicious eateries any day of the week. And afterwards, you can go home and rest in your new home in Wildlight.

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We are excited to announce the groundbreaking of our newest neighborhood, Del Webb Wildlight! Land development is now underway as Del Webb prepares to bring their signature combination of quality homes, inspired designs and resort-style amenities to Wildlight for residents 55 and older.

The gated neighborhood will feature 660 homes with a variety of Lowcountry floorplans and welcoming front porches, plus exclusive clubhouse amenities including a pool, fitness center, sports courts and much more.

“Wildlight is the perfect place for Del Webb because both brands focus on a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Justin Dudley, Vice President of Land Acquisition at Pultegroup, the builder behind Del Webb Active Adult Communities.

Interested in starting your next chapter at Del Webb Wildlight? Watch the video above to learn more!

The new YMCA at Wildlight has opened its doors and we’re so excited to give you a look at some of the amazing programs and perks available for Wildlight residents!

“We’re ready to welcome the community into our facility, support them as they reach their health and wellness goals, connect them to other resources and invite them to join our cause,” said Melissa, Operations Director of YMCA at Wildlight.

One of the biggest benefits of the new YMCA is its convenient, walkable location.

“You can literally live and walk right across the street from the Y and then go out on our trails. Everything is just integrated,” said Wes Hinton, Wildlight’s VP of Community Development. “UF Health has been a great partner in bringing the Y here. It’s just a huge benefit to our residents.”

Check out the video to learn more!

Every Wildlight builder brings something special to our floco community. For Matt Roberts and Chris Wood, co-managing partners of Riverside Homes, it’s a commitment to customer satisfaction and beautiful home designs with luxurious touches.

“We focus on our customers’ experience, and also the process that we’re building from start to finish, even after they move into the home,” Wood said.

What can you expect when you step inside a Riverside home?

“When we design our product type and what amenities we want to have inside of it—the taller ceilings, the attention to detail, the crown molding—some of the finer appointments you don’t see in most neighborhoods like this.”

Why buy a Riverside home in Wildlight?

“Location, location, location. That’s what real estate is about,” Roberts said. “To me it’s a no-brainer. I think this is an outstanding community and has a great future.”

Interested in touring a Riverside home? Visit our Move-in-Soon inventory to see what’s available!

This is the third post in our UF Health Wildlight series. Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

As we’ve learned from our previous two UF Health Series posts, The UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight team offers a unique tri-disciplinary approach to pediatric therapy services.

We’ve seen how Physical Therapist Jessie Walczak and her team work with children on movement. We talked with Speech-Language Pathologist Ashley Parker about how she and her team help children with speech delays learn to communicate. Today, we’re pleased to introduce Shannon Taylor, an occupational therapist who helps children improve fine motor skills, sensory processing and daily life skills.

Could Occupational Therapy Help Your Child?

“Pure magic” is a term Shannon Taylor, an occupational therapist at UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, has heard parents use to describe the gains their children make from therapy. Many children enter therapy unable to perform basic daily living tasks, such as getting dressed, self-feeding or brushing their teeth, and go on to master those skills and many more that facilitate independence of daily activities at home and school.

“Being an occupational therapist is a very rewarding career. I get to see children on a day-to-day basis make progress, whether big or small,” Taylor said.

Behaviors related to sensory processing difficulties, self-care delays and fine motor deficits can leave parents with many questions and concerns. An occupational therapy evaluation may be warranted if a parent is noticing that their child is having difficulty with any of the following areas below. It is important to talk to your pediatrician if you have questions about your child’s development.

o Difficulty dressing, fastening buttons and tying shoelaces

o Using silverware or straws at an age appropriate level

o Using zippers

o Holding a bottle and moving toys from one hand to another by 5 months old

o Banging two objects together and holding a spoon by 9 months old

o Pointing with an index finger by 9 to 12 months old

o Using thumb and finger to pick up objects by 12 months old

o Coloring and tracing

o Difficulty holding a pencil

o Holding and manipulating toys

o Letter and number formation

o Poor handwriting

o Using scissors

o Constantly moving, jumping and crashing

o Demonstrating sensitivities to touch, taste, sound or movement

o Difficulty coping with change

o Easily distracted

Pediatric occupational therapy can provide personalized services to children from birth to teenage years. They use age-appropriate, purposeful activities to minimize the effects of diseases, injuries, congenital defects, disabilities or developmental delays so the child can live and learn to his or her full potential.

In addition to occupational therapy, UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight offers physical and speech therapy. Many kids who have significant developmental delays benefit from two and sometimes all three disciplines. The specialists work together to give patients and families a customized treatment plan to help meet their needs.

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org (opens in new tab) or call 904.427.8300.

This is the second post in our UF Health Wildlight series. Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

In our last UF Health Series blog post, we learned from Pediatric Physical Therapist Jessie Walczak about how the UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight team helps children move more confidently. Today, we’re introducing Ashley Parker, a pediatric speech-language pathologist whose focus is empowering children with speech delays to unlock their inner voice.

Does Your Child Need Speech Therapy?

Every night for the last three years, a local mom put her son to bed and said, “Love you, love you, love you.” He was old enough to speak, but wasn’t able to respond. After a month of speech therapy, he looked at his mom and said, “Love you, love you, love you” right back.

For Ashley Parker, a pediatric speech-language pathologist at UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight, stories such as these remind her that her career is more than science — it’s work that comes from the heart.

“When I hear things like that, not just as a therapist, but also as a mom, it keeps me going,” Parker said.

Parker works with children with speech difficulties. They might have trouble speaking, deciding which words to say or understanding the meaning of some words. Parker also helps children with feeding, swallowing and behavior difficulties.

One of the early signs of a speech disorder in children is not babbling by the time they are 6 months old. Examples of babble sounds are “bababa,” “ahhh,” “uhhh” and “ehhh.” By the time a baby is 12 to 13 months old, they should have at least one word they use consistently for an item, even if it isn’t the correct word, such as saying “baba” for bottle. They should also be able to understand a one-step direction and point to things they see or want.

By 18 months, toddlers should have a minimum of 10 words in their vocabulary, with the average child having around 50 words. Parents should look for their child to be learning new words consistently, both receptively and expressively, and talk to their pediatrician for a speech therapy referral if they have concerns about their child’s development.

Children 3 years and older should have appropriate speech articulation, or how well their words are understood. Some speech sound errors are age appropriate at age 3, like saying /w/ for /r/ as in “wace” for “race.” Consulting with a speech-language pathologist can give a parent a good idea of whether or not their child’s speech clarity is appropriate for their age.

In addition to speech therapy, UF Health Rehabilitation – Wildlight offers occupational and physical therapy. Many kids who have significant developmental delays benefit from two, and sometimes all three, disciplines. The specialists work together to give patients and families a customized treatment plan to help meet their needs.

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org (opens in new tab) or call 904.427.8300.

Welcome to the first post in our UF Health Wildlight series! Throughout this series, we’ll be interviewing various UF Health professionals about services and wellness practices that can help our residents live their healthiest lives.

Today, we’re excited to introduce Jessie Walczak, a pediatric physical therapist at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight. See how she and her team are working alongside Wildlight families to help their children move around with more confidence.

Could Your Child Benefit from Physical Therapy?

Children need to feel comfortable and confident moving about their homes, at school and in social settings. Physical therapy techniques help children with gross motor skill challenges gain more independence through movement.

Pediatric physical therapy can help families and children with a variety of concerns, such as delays in development, muscle weakness, poor coordination or balance, genetic disorders and other conditions such as cerebral palsy. In physical therapy, children are engaged with fun and age-appropriate activities to keep them motivated, while assisting them with reaching their goals.

Signs that indicate physical therapy could be beneficial:

    • 2 months: holding their head up during tummy time
    • 4 months: holding their head up in supported sitting, bringing hands to mouth and pushing up on elbows when in tummy time
    • 6 months: rolling from tummy to back and back to tummy consistently, sitting up without support and reaching for toys/items and bringing them to their mouth
    • 8–10 months: crawling on all fours—any variation in crawling or pulling up to stand at support surfaces are reasons to seek physical therapy intervention
    • 12–15 months: taking independent steps

To learn more about pediatric physical therapy services at UF Health Rehabilitation–Wildlight, please visit their website at wildlight.ufhealthjax.org (opens in new tab) or call 904.427.8300.

Jonathan and Crystal Boswell knew just where to find the perfect neighborhood to raise their two daughters and enjoy being part of a close-knit community: Floco!

“Floco, to us, means Lowcountry living. More front porch living, community involvement, and the style of homes also represents that same feel,” Jonathan said.

Between the convenient commute to work, the short walk to Wildlight Elementary School and the miles of nature trails, the couple felt that Wildlight’s location couldn’t be beat. But there’s one thing that really stood out to them the most.

“Front porch living is one of the biggest differences within this community that we’ve seen,” Crystal said.

“Growing up, I had grandparents that always had [a front porch] but we never did,” Jonathan said. “Now on Sunday mornings, we’ll get our cup of coffee, go out on the front porch and enjoy the sunrise or in the evenings we’ll enjoy the sunset.”

Coming from a neighborhood where Jonathan described the community space as “non-existent,” the Boswells couldn’t be happier with their decision to move to Wildlight.

“The community feel is just bar none better than any place we’ve been before.’