Three new outdoor amenities coming soon to Wellen Park

Staff Report
·3 min read
The New Landings Fishing Pier is scheduled to open Aug. 15 on the Grand Lake – directly across the lake from Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen Park. Anglers who try to catch any of a variety of well-stocked fish in the lake can use their own gear or rent some from Kind Vibes Outfitters.
The New Landings Fishing Pier is scheduled to open Aug. 15 on the Grand Lake – directly across the lake from Solis Hall in Downtown Wellen Park. Anglers who try to catch any of a variety of well-stocked fish in the lake can use their own gear or rent some from Kind Vibes Outfitters.

NORTH PORT – Three new features are being added to the fast–growing community of Wellen Park – a fishing pier, nature trail and community garden.

The additions are designed to foster wellness and community connection.

“Research consistently demonstrates the healing properties of nature and water, its abilities to ease stress, enhance wellbeing and inspire positive thinking,” Rick Severance, president of Wellen Park, said in a prepared statement. “Our community is dedicated to providing residents with engaging and unique active and leisure opportunities within the natural environment. We look forward to introducing these incredible new outdoor experiences which will complement Wellen Park’s 30 miles of multimodal trials, parks and downtown’s incredible recreation options.”

The Landing Fishing Pier, scheduled to open Aug. 15, is along the shoreline across from Solis Hall. The pier, which has a shade structure, extends into the Grand Lake, which is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, redear sunfish, bluegill and threadfin shad.

Fishing tackle and bait for rent or sale is available onsite at Kind Vibes Outfitters, and anglers can also preview the lake’s offerings by scanning the QR code at a red marker near downtown’s floating dock.

The markers are part of the new Wander at Wellen experience. The smartphone connection details and animates the lake’s variety of fish species.

With the opening of The Landing Fishing Pier, outdoor enthusiasts can make a complete 3-mile loop on the trail encircling the Grand Lake.

The two-acre resident-only Harvest Community Garden will offer 85 raised irrigated garden plots, event lawn, covered picnic area, composting area, restrooms, parking and a fruit tree orchard providing an intimate destination for small gatherings and events.

This rendering shows the proposed locationNSHT and layout of Harvest Community Garden in Wellen Park.
This rendering shows the proposed locationNSHT and layout of Harvest Community Garden in Wellen Park.

Harvest Community Garden will also host local schools for educational opportunities.

Centrally located near CoolToday Park, the garden is expected to debut later this year, in time for Florida’s fall-to-winter growing season.

“The garden is envisioned as a communal farm-to-table experience, a connection to the land and educational opportunities,” Severance said. “We plan to curate and layer in the produce grown in the garden into our weekly farmers market, encouraging sustainable practices within the community.”

Earlier: Fresh Harvest Farmers Market to debut on May 21 in North Port's Wellen Park community

The future Oakheart Nature Trail in the Playmore District bordering Wellen Park’s new Everly and Lakespur neighborhoods meanders along a 50-acre lake, wetlands and preserves.

It will connect outdoor recreation enthusiasts to the community’s growing trail system, Downtown Wellen and Atlanta Braves spring training and year-round events at CoolToday Park.

Spanning roughly four miles, out and back, the trail stretches north across East River Road to Playmore Road, and also provides convenient walkable access to Sarasota County’s planned K-8 and high school campuses, which are projected to open in 2025.

Wellen Park takes an intentional approach to champion sustainability and celebrate its environmental assets.

As part of its Heritage Tree Program, Wellen Park relocated more than 25 healthy live oak trees from various locations within the community to Downtown Wellen.

The nearly $1-million effort to relocate mature trees not only saved these well-established trees but also helped create an immediate sense of authenticity and scale for Downtown Wellen. Each year, the development team and resident volunteers plant hundreds of saplings around the masterplan to provide more shade areas, offer habitat to wildlife and increase the state’s pine population.

Multimodal trails and pathways encourage walking and biking as alternate ways of transportation, decreasing reliance on cars. Trails are also developed with crushed shell material instead of concrete when near wetland areas and along lakes. Throughout the community, no wetland mitigation has been needed to offset development.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New fishing pier to open at Grand Lake in Wellen Park