Wellen Park donates playhouses and $15,000 to Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County for the Cottages for Kids program

VENICE, Fla. (June 27, 2023) – Wellen Park presented a $15,000 donation to Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County on Monday, June 26. The donation is to support Habitat for Humanity’s mission and Cottages for Kids program.

            “We are honored to partner with Habitat for Humanity to host the Cottages for Kids build and support this program for future builds,” said Christine Masney, vice president of marketing for Wellen Park. “It has been wonderful seeing how many residents, guests and children have enjoyed the cottages while on display in Downtown Wellen. This project gave Wellen Park development partners a chance to come together to support a worthy organization, while also celebrating the next chapter of our community.”

During the check presentation, families selected by Habitat for Humanity were present to pick up cottages Wellen Park and its residential and commercial partners built earlier this year. The donated cottages were given to Habitat families.

“Habitat is so grateful to Wellen Park and the many generous builders that contributed to this unique program,” said Christina McCauley, CEO of Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County. “Without solid community partners like Wellen Park, we could not accomplish our mission of providing safe, affordable forever homes to hard-working families and individuals in our community. We look forward to future collaborations and growing our partnership.”

The playhouses have been on display in Downtown Wellen since the Model Home Showcase event in February. During the event, visitors were able to view the playhouses and vote for their favorite one.

Wellen Park and its commercial and residential development partners built 6’x6’ playhouses, all designed with different styles, paint colors and unique details that would make them feel like home and stand out. Wellen Park built two playhouses, one with a cute seating area inside and outside painted with bright blue and yellow colors. The second Wellen Park playhouse was designed as a barn, with bundles of wood, fruits and vegetables, and stuffed animals such as a chicken. Mattamy Homes also built two playhouses, the first with different murals painted on every side of the playhouse, including a beach scene and a burst of color with the saying “Hello Sunshine” written out on the back of the cottage. Mattamy’s second playhouse was an animal-friendly barn with a dog painted on one side of the exterior and a car painted on the other.

Ryan Companies’ playhouse showcased a modern architectural feel, incorporating black paint and large floor-to-ceiling windows. Davis Development also took a modern design approach with plants painted on the outside of its playhouse. Sam Rodgers Homes created “Sam’s Coffee Cafe” playhouse, complete with a coffee menu, kitchen with pastries on display and a seating area where guests can enjoy their sweet treats and cup of coffee. Lennar’s playhouse included its own putting green so kids can practice their golf swing. Lee Wetherington Homes’ playhouse featured a bird sitting on the roof. PulteGroup went a nontraditional route and instead of building a playhouse, created a swing set with a slide and rock-climbing wall.

Wellen Park is planning another Cottages for Kids buildout later this year. The next round of cottages will be on display in Downtown Wellen as a part of Wellen Park’s holiday series, with participation extended to Wellen Park neighborhoods and residents. In December, there will also be a Cottages for Kids auction to raise awareness and funds to support Habitat for Humanity of South Sarasota County’s mission.

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 firm RCLCO, 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 bundled golf and country club community, paired and attached villas, coach homes and condominiums. Rental options offer one- to three-bedroom luxury apartments and single-family homes, an apartment community for active 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 Downtown Wellen and 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]