New Wander at Wellen experience introduces augmented reality in Downtown Wellen

VENICE, Fla. (July 24, 2023) – Wellen Park is augmenting reality with a new interactive experience called Wander at Wellen, encouraging visitors to explore Downtown Wellen and see what comes to life. A blend of reality and digitally created content, Wander at Wellen adds another dimension to various points in downtown with QR codes and smartphones, including fish schooling around the floating dock, Florida butterflies fluttering about the natural playground and a blue heron taking flight from a mural.

Visitors simply scan the codes at seven locations featured on red signs throughout Downtown Wellen to reveal a special encounter. Each offers a different experience, including selfie opportunities and storytelling videos. By completing all seven augmented reality experiences, guests will receive an exclusive prize offer that’s most definitely a reality.

“Wander at Wellen reflects the fun, vibrant spirit of Downtown Wellen,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing at Wellen Park. “This AR experience gives visitors an engaging, entertaining and educational perspective by providing interactive and immersive simulations of the environment around them, hidden in plain sight.”

At the dock, people will see a real view of the Grand Lake with animated fish leaping up from the water and a narrator introducing the different species that live in the lake. At the playground, a butterfly lands on visitors’ noses. Markers are located throughout Downtown Wellen, including the Great Lawn, Canopy Green and under the Heritage Tree.

Wellen Park partnered with Southwest Florida-based D3 Creative to develop the augmented reality experience using a unique web-based AR platform that allows AR to be widely accessible to visitors across many different backgrounds. Visitors can either interact with Wander at Wellen by scanning a QR code or by allowing location services on your phone. Web-based AR does not require downloading an app, making it significantly easier for people to access and enjoy.

About Downtown Wellen

Downtown Wellen is the region’s newest social and gathering spot, offering restaurants, boutiques, beauty services, and medical and professional offices. The downtown’s thoughtfully designed spaces create unique outdoor experiences – from intimate parks, a natural playground and a living room shaded by a decades-old relocated live oak tree to larger gathering spaces like the Great Lawn for community festivals, markets, celebrations and events, and the lakefront fountain and splashpad. Solis Hall features an outdoor stage, a lakefront patio and an easy flow from inside spaces to neighboring alfresco areas.

The pedestrian-friendly downtown emphasizes heartfelt connections to community and nature and celebrates a waterfront vibe with the 80-acre Grand Lake providing a scenic backdrop and opportunities for fishing and paddle sports. Visitors can enjoy time on the water and along downtown’s 3-mile lakefront trail with on-site bicycle, e-bike, kayak and paddleboard rentals at Kind Vibes Outfitters.

Also open is The Yard, offering a playful outdoor environment with a dining area, games and activities, and ultra-casual food and beverage choices served counter style from retrofitted shipping containers. The Yard features gourmet ballpark favorites from Atlanta Braves-affiliated Pop Dawgs and New England-style seafood at Claw & Co.

Located at 19745 Wellen Park Blvd., Venice, Downtown Wellen can be accessed directly from Preto Boulevard and U.S. 41, just west of South River Road. A future downtown entry directly from U.S. 41 and Wellen Park Boulevard is currently under construction.

Learn more about Downtown Wellen and access a complete list of businesses at wellenpark.com/shop-dine.

About Wellen Park

Consistently ranked among the U.S.’s top-selling communities annually by prominent real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns, Wellen Park offers a mix of single-family and multifamily residential, commercial and recreational options. The community currently has approximately 9,500 residents, and at full buildout will have more than 50,000 residents and 22,500 homes within its three distinct districts: West Villages, Downtown Wellen and Playmore.

Wellen Park’s expanding residential choices include new-construction single-family homes in picturesque neighborhoods, a dynamic new lifestyle concept for active adults 55+, paired and attached villas, coach homes and condominiums for a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Rental options in Wellen Park range from one- to three-bedroom luxury apartments and single-family homes to an apartment community for adults 55 and older, and world-class independent, assisted living and memory care.

Wellen Park is close to top-ranked beaches and the area’s many attractions.

To learn more about living at Wellen Park, call 941-960-7805, go to wellenpark.com or visit the Welcome Center at 12275 Mercado Drive in Venice, Fla. The Welcome Center is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Contact:

Jennifer Hamilton, Gravina, Smith, Matte & Arnold Marketing and PR, 239-275-5758, [email protected]