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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Memorial Day Weekend is usually a time to enjoy being with friends and family as we remember and honor our nation’s fallen heroes. If your annual traditions involve attending parades and family picnics or traveling long distances, you may be feeling down that COVID-19 has put a damper on this year’s plans. The good news is that you don’t have to stay stuck at home all weekend. Here are a few ways you can spend the weekend close to FLOCO while safely social distancing.
EXPLORING AT FORT CLINCH STATE PARK
Several state parks are now open for limited activities, so why not enjoy a day at one of our own local gems? Fort Clinch offers many things to do for nature and history lovers alike. Though all campsites appear to be booked for the holiday weekend, you can still enjoy hiking the Willow Pond Nature Trail, wildlife watching, shark tooth hunting on the beaches, and of course, checking out the incredible 19th century fort.
RELAXING ON FERNANDINA BEACH
The best reason to live on Florida’s First Coast is our beautiful beaches. Thankfully, Fernandina Beach is open from 6am-9pm with parking available in select areas. Many Fernandina Beach restaurants are open for takeout so you can grab lunch at one of many great places on your way to or from the beach. Check out the list of open restaurants here.
Though there won’t be a parade this year, The Marine Corp League will be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony at Fernandina Beach’s Veteran’s Memorial Monument at 11:00am on Monday. Visitors are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.
SOAKING UP HISTORY IN ST. AUGUSTINE
America’s oldest city is just an hour south of FLOCO and well worth the trip! Although the historic Castillo de San Marcos is still closed, there are plenty of other ways to spend a day in beautiful St. Augustine. Many tour companies and museums are open with social distancing protocols in place, including Ancient City Tours, The Lightner Museum, Old Town Trolley and many more. You can find a full list of open attractions, shops and restaurants here.
SHOPPING AT ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER
If you need to stock up on summer wardrobe staples, browse new home décor or upgrade your phone, many stores at St. Johns Town Center are open. Take advantage of special Memorial Day weekend deals and enjoy curbside pick-up from select dining spots. Visit the store directory to check the status of your favorite shops and restaurants.
However you decide to spend your time right here in Northeast Florida, we hope you have a great weekend and stay safe!
The Floco Festival is coming soon — and we’re thrilled to welcome Florida’s own Sister Hazel to headline the musical festivities. Florida has a rich history with music — relaxing, getting in the groove, and lowcountry living is the perfect inspiration for great music. Here are five bands you may not realize are from Florida.
Sister Hazel
This one’s a bit of a giveaway, since we just mentioned they’re headlining our Floco Festival this year. The band blends southern rock (more on that shortly), folk rock, classic rock and a time-honored but maybe little-known treble guitar style called jangle pop*. In doing so, they captured the sound of the 90s with Billboard hit “All For You.”
Tom Petty
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Tom Petty also hails from Gainesville, Florida, where he was born and raised before he became the front man for Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers. Petty actually started his musical career in Gainesville in a band called the Epics with several future Heartbreakers. They didn’t break the Top 40 until their second album, but hit platinum with their third, Damn the Torpedoes, which featured three of their most popular singles: “Don’t Do Me Like That”, “Here Comes My Girl” and “Refugee”.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Synonymous with southern rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd was actually one of a few bands to emerge from the Jacksonville area’s lively music scene. Famous for hits like “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama”, the band came up in the same region as the Allman Brothers Band and Molly Hatchet, bringing a country sensibility to rock ‘n’ roll culture.
*NSYNC/Backstreet Boys
It may be a hot take to group these two together, but it was also impossible to list one without the other. At the height of the teen pop craze, the only true rivals in the boy band music scene were *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys, with a crowd of imitators in their wake. Mixing R&B, dance pop and hip hop, both bands topped the charts with hits like “I Want It That Way” and “Bye Bye Bye.”
*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jangle
The New Year is a perfect time for big plans, living better and a happier you. Even little changes in your activities and your perspective can make a major difference in the coming months. That’s exactly the kind of thinking that Wildlight was built around, and wherever you are in 2020, we’ve got a few ideas for resolutions to make the year ahead a great one.
Spend More Time Outdoors
The outdoors rejuvenate the soul. The fresh air and open spaces let you breathe, relax or just have some fun. Whether it’s hiking a nature trail, visiting the local park or a fun-filled day at the community pool, it makes an impact on your mood and well-being. So, carve out some time to escape those four walls and enjoy what outside has to offer.
Make New Friends
New faces. New ideas. Meeting new people is the best! A friendly wave and “hello” is an easy start and might just kick of a great conversation or a lifelong friendship. So, if you’re sitting on your front porch and see a new passerby, why not say hello? Or if you’re at the store, at a party or just out and about, make a point to meet and greet new people, and you never know who you might find!
Get More Exercise
This is kind of a classic, but working out more never hurts, and there are great ways to make it fun. Walk with a friend, join a biking group or get out on the water for some kayaking or paddle boarding. Think of it less like a workout and more like playing with health benefits. Before long, you’ll wonder why exercise wasn’t a regular part of your routine.
Play More and Stress Less
Speaking of playing, having fun in 2020 is a great way to reduce stress. From the workplace, home, finances and other sources, stress affects all of us to some extent, and too much can have serious health consequences. So be sure to schedule some downtime this year. Go out with friends, take yourself on a shopping spree downtown, or find a new event or class to try out. A community like Wildlight is built for residents to live and play, but you can make your own fun anywhere. And in doing so, you’ll be making an even better 2020.
Happy New Year!
Florida may not have the quintessential snow-covered holiday landscape, but Lowcountry is rich with traditions celebrated by all our citizens. At Wildlight, our community loves coming together to celebrate pretty much anything, and the holiday season is just one big excuse for a party. Here are a few ways that the folks here celebrate the season Lowcountry-style:
Serve Up A Shrimp Boil
Lowcountry is known for its amazing seafood, and the holidays are a perfect time to enjoy the bounty of shrimp that Florida waters have to offer. From the Atlantic to the Gulf, this area has the best shrimp around, and making a dish everyone will love couldn’t be easier. Just pick up a batch of shrimp, season your broth and boil them up for a holiday feast that is uniquely Southeast.
Citrus In Your Stocking
This may be more of a Florida thing than strictly Lowcountry, but one fun and very Southern tradition is putting oranges in the holiday stocking along with any gifts. The bright and sweet fruit is festive, fun and good for you, too! (And it makes a great filler in that pesky toe region.)
Deep-Fried Turkey
Though it’s become popular nationwide, the tradition of deep-frying turkey was invented in the South. The frying process locks in the juices that can be lost when roasting the big bird, so you never have to worry about getting a piece of dry meat. Just remember: deep frying food requires attention and caution; just be careful and your holiday will stay happy!
Pecan Pie
Admittedly, this is a lot of food, but what are holidays if not a great time to feast with family and friends? December falls at the end of pecan harvesting season, and so plenty of those nuts go into delicious, sticky-sweet pecan pie. A slice of this traditional Southern dessert is the perfect way to cap off a meal (and we challenge you to grab a second slice without filling up)!
“Is this farm-to-table?” “Are the ingredients locally sourced?” “Are these artisan-made accessories?” These days knowing where an item comes from — or how it’s made — is a big part of your purchase decision. And buying a home shouldn’t be any different. Partnerships with the most trusted builders in Northeast Florida, boasting more than a century of combined home-building experience, mean you get a quality home you can feel good about.
D.S. Ware Homes
The team at D.S. Ware Homes has been building homes and making customers for life for more than three decades. With repeated recognition from J.D. Power and Associates for their customer satisfaction and warranties, D.S. Ware’s commitment to a home goes far beyond when the last nail is hammered. Founder Donnie Ware sums it up best: “A home is the single most important purchase people will make in their lifetime and it has to be right, every time.” And that’s a philosophy they build every home with.
Dream Finders Homes
Within three years of opening, Dream Finders Homes was recognized as the “#1 Fastest Growing Private Company in Jacksonville” by The Jacksonville Business Journal, and with good reason. With an eye to the future of homebuilding, Dream Finders Homes is designing eye-catching and inviting homes. Their unique designs and commitment to superior quality materials have earned them more than 20 Parade of Home Awards from the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Dostie Homes
With six decades and three generations of homebuilders, you might expect Dostie Homes to take it easy. But they’re still exceeding expectations, receiving the “2018 Northeast Florida Builder of the Year” award from the Northeast Florida Builders Association. Brothers Rick and Chris Dostie carry on the family’s legacy of quality homebuilding, leading a team of innovative professionals to deliver timeless luxury homes.
Labor Day can be a little bittersweet, as holidays go. Of course, it marks the unofficial end of summer, but you also get to kick back for a long weekend. At Wildlight, the warm days don’t end with the arrival of September, but with school starting up and work schedules coming off vacation time, Labor Day is still a great excuse to celebrate with friends and family with summertime traditions.
Throw a Neighborhood Barbecue
Break out the charcoal and gather at a local park &ndash or someone’s backyard &ndash and share good times over burgers, hot dogs, salads and more. It doesn’t take much to make a memorable party this way, the outdoor environment and simple pleasures are a perfect recipe for happy memories. Of course, if you really want to celebrate Lowcountry style, check out the next recommendation…
Do a Lowcountry Boil
If barbecue is quintessential Americana, a Lowcountry boil is the local flavor. Friends and neighbors gathering around for fresh seafood, sharing the day and filling their plates is a tradition that can’t be matched. Be advised: the delicious smell may attract folks from the block who you haven’t met before, but that’s how new friends are made! For more tips on a Lowcountry boil, you can check out this blog post.
Make a Splash
With kids going back to school, they’ll love an opportunity to dive into the water for some aquatic action! The beach is a perfect place to gather and have fun before it’s time to get back into the workday or schoolday routine. From Wildlight, the beach and all its excitement are just half an hour away on Amelia Island. Take the long weekend as a chance to get wet, soak up the sun and make memories.
Spend Time with Family
It’s easy to get caught up in our schedules &ndash whether it’s a job, a project to work on or after-school activities. Labor Day is a time to put on the brakes and focus on those closest to you. Instead of big plans, you can just make time together as a family, to enjoy some outdoor activities, cook together, or just relax. When life gets busy again, you’ll be glad you took the time to be together.
Our community is built for gathering and celebrating together, and Labor Day is a wonderful time to do just that. Take the long weekend to stop worrying about work and just enjoy the company of those closest to you, to socialize with your favorite people, and maybe make some new friends, too!