Two miles east of I-75 and south of State Road 64 between Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Lorraine Road, Mallory Park is a gated, family-friendly neighborhood, with large homes and resort-style amenities.

There are two ways to access the community. The main entrance from Wood Fern Trail is a divided roadway. Surrounded by palm trees and lovely landscaping, its central median with signage and a square turret leads to a gate house. A call box provides a virtual guard for guests.

The back entrance also has divided lanes, starting at the intersection with White Eagle Boulevard across from Neal Communities’ Indigo neighborhood. Residents have windshield decals to open the gates automatically on both sides of the community.

Covering 179 acres, Mallory Park’s numerous retention ponds and wetland preserves provide scenic backdrops for many of the homes. Bob Gardner Community Park, which offers soccer fields, zip lines, walking trails, a dog park, a playground, pavilions and picnic tables, borders the northern edge. To the south across two large lakes lie B.D Gullet Elementary and Dr. Mona Jain Middle School.

Residents can take advantage of a host of amenities, from a resort-style swimming pool with lap lanes to basketball and pickleball courts. There is a fire pit area and a children’s playground. The clubhouse has community gathering room, a catering kitchen, and a fitness center.

“We don’t have a lifestyle program, but residents organize special events and activities on their own,” said Karla Gustafson, the Community Association Manager in charge of the HOA and residential board.

Mallory Park was developed from 2015 on by DiVosta Homes, a subdivision of Pulte Group. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, is one of America’s largest homebuilders, with operations in more than real estate 40 markets throughout the country.

The homes in Mallory Park comprise mostly single-family residences in one- and two-story designs and a few townhouse properties. The architectural style is coastal modern throughout, with different facades, including stone work and horizontal siding, and roofs and overhangs of tiles and metal.

During the sales and construction process, DiVosta offered a variety of floor plans with open living spaces and opportunities for upgrades, from interior finishes to smart home technology.

The two- to four-bed townhomes range from 1,617 to 2,312 square feet of living space and have two-car garages. The single-family residences feature from three to six bedrooms and up to six bathrooms (plus a half-bath) with 1,674 to 4,842 square feet under air. Paver driveways lead to two- or three-car garages.

The large homes attract families with children and year-round resident. “Mallory Park is categorized as an all-age community,” said Gustafson. “It’s very kid friendly.”

Mariel Rovagnati, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, agreed. “There is a path that goes straight to the elementary school,” she said. “Kids can walk or bike there. Parents and grandparents don’t have to drive them by car but can use golf carts.”

She and her business partner, Argelia Vidal, also with Coldwell Banker, have a listing at 3519 Harlowe Run. The five-bed, four-bath home built in 2022 has two stories and 2,830 square feet of living space.

“The listing is a brand-new resale – no one has lived there yet,” said Rovagnati. “The owner did a lot of upgrades – beautiful tile floors, tray ceilings and an extension on the two-car garage for extra storage space.”

The master bedroom on the first floor has an en-suite bath with double vanity, a walk-in shower, and a large closet. The kitchen comes with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a backsplash, a breakfast bar, and a walk-in pantry. The large covered lanai comes with an outdoor kitchen.

The asking price is $759,000.

HOA fees in Mallory Park, which vary depending on the property, average a little over $300 a month. They cover lawn care and upkeep of common areas and amenities.

With convenient access to I-75, it’s easy to get to Tampa and St. Petersburg to the north and Bradenton and Sarasota to the south. The Bradenton Costco and Walmart Supercenter close to the highway are less than 10 minutes away. Main Street and UTC via Lakewood Ranch Boulevard are a 15-minute drive.

“The location is great. Lakewood Ranch is booming, with shopping and restaurants,” said Gustafson.

Rovagnati concurred: “It is in the heart of Lakewood Ranch.”

Currently, there are four properties for sale in Mallory Park, ranging in asking price from $735,000 to $925,000.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Lakewood Ranch homes for sale near schools, restaurants, recreation