Last Updated January 4, 2024

Discover the vibrant heart of the Wellen Park master-planned development, where you’ll experience a mix of amenities, shopping and dining options, and entertainment. Downtown Wellen Park is a thriving hub for residents and visitors alike with a lively atmosphere that invites you to explore and enjoy all that it has to offer.

As you stroll through downtown Wellen Park, you’ll find a variety of unique local boutiques, artwork, and restaurants that showcase the area’s creativity. You can also take advantage of the lush green spaces, trees, boardwalk along the lake, and seating areas that invite you to unwind and relax amidst the peaceful landscape.

Downtown Wellen Park is the perfect gathering place for residents in all the nearby Wellen Park planned communities to come together, as well as other locals and visitors in the area.

Thinking of Buying a Home in Wellen Park? CLICK HERE to Search Properties for Sale

About Downtown Wellen Park

In downtown Wellen Park, you’ll find a vibrant town center designed with residents in mind. The area is centered around an 80-acre lake, providing picturesque views and a serene atmosphere. Throughout the downtown area, you’ll notice a focus on health and wellness, with green spaces and numerous oak trees, including a preserved heritage oak tree.

The Great Lawn offers ample seating for relaxation, while the 2.8-mile trail encourages you to explore the surroundings and winds its way around lakes and preserves. You won’t want to miss Hammock Grove, an area dedicated to relaxation with its strategically placed hammocks. If you’re looking for a bite to eat, check out one of the many eateries here; from casual food trucks to fine dining options. And the kids will certainly love the splash pad to cool off on those warm Florida days!

Downtown Wellen Park is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and connection among its residents.

When is the Wellen Park Grand Opening? Is It Open Yet?

Yes, the new Downtown Wellen Park is officially open!

Even though there are currently some final stages of development, the grand opening took place in early 2023.  There are a number of shops and restaurants already open, but there will be rolling “grand openings” for additional shops and restaurants throughout the rest of the year.

Downtown Wellen Park is also already having regular activities and events! From concerts to weekly farmers markets, yoga on the lawn, and so much more. There is something happening here almost every day of the week for people of all ages and families too!

Wellen Park Restaurants

In downtown Wellen Park, you have a variety of dining options to enjoy. Some popular restaurants include the newly opened Banyan House, soon-to-be- open Oak & Stone, Villani & Co, and Acqua Pazza. Foxtail Coffee will also be opening soon for those who enjoy a casual coffee shop experience with tasty beverages and sweet snacks.

At Oak & Stone, you can expect an incredible selection of artisan pizzas and craft beers. Their unique, open-concept dining space is perfect for both intimate dinners and larger gatherings. The modern design and creative menu ensure a memorable experience.

Villani & Co offers you a more sophisticated, upscale dining experience with its elegant decor and delicious Italian-inspired dishes. Your taste buds will be delighted by their fresh pasta, seafood, and hand-tossed pizzas.

In addition to these notable restaurants, downtown Wellen Park is also home to various shops and cafes as well as some food trucks. Whether you are seeking a quick bite or full meal, the options are limitless.

Wellen Park Events and Activities

At Wellen Park, you can find an abundance of fun events and activities to enjoy throughout the year. From walking, biking riding bikes, running or enjoying some boating on the lake. Kind Vibes Outfitters is located in downtown Wellen Park and is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, who want to rent boats to go out on the lake and even bikes to ride around on the trails nearby.

There are also weekly meet-ups for those with different interests who want to get together to do things together like walking, cycling, and yoga. “Wellen Wednesdays” are quite popular with cornhole boards set up to play games and live music — a great way to unwind after work and have some mid-week fun. There is also Zumba in the park currently going on every Monday too.

Make sure to stay updated on Wellen Park’s upcoming events through their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Wellen Park Farmers Market

Every Sunday morning you can find the downtown Wellen Park Farmers Market taking place. With a variety of fresh produce, cooked foods, baked breads, spices, drinks and more.

You can also find some handcrafted goods, decor, artwork and other fun items for your home or for a gift. What’s nice is that even though there is a weekly farmers market in downtown Venice on Saturdays, some of the vendors are different. So you can visit both markets and still have some variety of what you’ll find.

Wellen Park Concerts

Downtown Wellen Park has regular concerts on different nights and afternoons throughout the week. You can pull up a chair under the shade of an oak tree or relax on the lawn while listening to some tunes. Be sure to check their schedule for times and who is performing.

How to Get to Downtown Wellen Park

If you live in one of the many Wellen Park Communities, then you are just a short drive, walk or bike ride from downtown Wellen Park. In fact, there are many walking and bike-friendly paths that guide you from surrounding neighborhoods directly to Downtown Wellen Park. These provide a safe and enjoyable way to commute while taking in the beautiful scenery.

If you are coming from Venice or North Port, you can take Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail) and you will drive right past the new downtown Wellen Park. If you are coming from I-75 highway, use exit 191 for River Road, then head south until you reach West Villages Parkway. Follow West Villages Parkway, and it will lead you right to Downtown Wellen Park.

Is Parking Available at Downtown Wellen Park?

Yes, parking is available at Downtown Wellen Park. You can find various parking options to make your visit more convenient. There are both on-street parking spaces and off-street parking lots throughout the area. On-street parking is also available right around the downtown area, just be sure to check signage for any restrictions or no parking areas.

Is There a Grocery Store Like Publix at Wellen Park?

Yes, there is a Publix supermarket conveniently located just East of Downtown Wellen Park in the Marketplace area for all your grocery needs. If you are new to the area, Publix is one of the most popular grocery stores in Florida and offers a wide variety of quality products for you to choose from.

So residents who live out in this area can enjoy a quick and easy grocery store option without having to drive into Venice or North Port to buy groceries. You’ll also find more restaurants in the Publix Marketplace plaza as well. Including Irmas Tacos (one of our favorites), as well as some pizza, frozen yogurt, Chinese food and Japanese hibachi too. There’s also an Ace Hardware store and a 7-11 for gasoline and quick snacks.

Will There be a Costco at Wellen Park?

At this time, it remains unclear if there will be a Costco at Wellen Park. We have definitely heard rumors and even spoken to some individuals with insider knowledge who confirmed it, but we cannot say for certain. So keep an eye out for any announcements from the developers or Costco regarding a potential store opening.

How Far is Downtown Wellen Park from the Beach and Downtown Venice, Florida?

Downtown Wellen Park is conveniently located in close proximity to both the beach and downtown Venice, Florida. From the heart of Wellen Park, you can reach the beach in just about 15 minutes by car. This allows you and your family easy access to enjoy the pristine shores and soak up the sun on beautiful Venice, Florida area beaches.

Regarding downtown Venice, Florida, the distance is slightly further but still easily manageable. You will find that it takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes by car to arrive at the lively center of Venice, depending on traffic. This gives you an opportunity to explore even more local shops, dine in charming restaurants, and participate in various festivals and events beyond just those in Wellen Park.

Thinking About Buying a Home in Wellen Park?

Wellen Park is a beautiful place to live and an extremely popular area to buy a home. There are 10+ different communities in Wellen Park, each neighborhood is a little different with their vibe, amenities, and types of homes they offer. Some neighborhoods are completed, others are selling new construction homes and a few are just breaking ground!

We know all of the Wellen Park communities in detail, and even many of the builders / sales staff at these developments. So if you are interested in learning more about the area, the different communities and types of homes available (new construction or resale), please reach out to us. 

As a licensed realtor, I can help leverage my knowledge of the area and relationships with these communities to help you find just the right home you are looking for. So don’t hesitate to contact me today – even if you just want to ask some questions and chat a bit more. I’m always here for you and looking forward to talking soon!