Last month, we broke ground on one of our most special homes to date. In partnership with Helping a Hero – a non-profit organization that provides support for military personnel severely injured in the Global war on terror – we began construction on a new home in the Kenley neighborhood of Tradition for Corporal Sue Crutchfield – a veteran and double-amputee – and her family.

Now that construction is underway, we arranged a first walkthrough tour with CPL Sue Crutchfield and her family on Thursday, June 26 to see the progress that’s been made. To represent our eternal gratitude for her strength, courage, and selfless sacrifice, executives from our Southeast Florida division and CPL Crutchfield commemorated the moment by signing their names on the home’s pre-drywall—solidifying our support and appreciation for this resilient and much-deserving veteran whose impact stretches across our nation.

“We couldn’t be more honored, excited or proud to be welcoming Corporal Sue Crutchfield to Tradition later this year,” said Dan Grosswald, Mattamy’s Southeast Florida Division President. “This mark we’ve left on her home is small in comparison to the one she has left on our nation – but it’s one that we hope will serve as a constant reminder that she and her family are embraced and celebrated by this community.”

CPL. Crutchfield and her family will be welcomed into their finished, brand-new home this September. The home will feature four bedrooms and three bathrooms and will be modified to fit CPL. Crutchfield and her family’s needs.

Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., CPL. Crutchfield enlisted as an Army police officer in December of 2004. After basic training, she was stationed in Germany and deployed to Afghanistan in early 2006. That November, CPL. Crutchfield’s unit was en route for an overnight mission when their Humvee was struck by five landmines powered by a Rocket Propelled Grenade – all as the enemy fired shots in their direction. CPL. Crutchfield’s fellow soldiers were both killed and, after she was shot in the left hip, the blast took off both of her legs below the knee, lacerated organs, and caused a traumatic brain injury.

With all Medevac helicopters grounded, Crutchfield had to endure an eight-hour Humvee transport over rough terrain to Bagram Air Force Base. She was taken to Germany and then transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she underwent dozens of surgeries. Crutchfield received her first pair of prosthetics in March of 2007.

After two years of surgeries and rehabilitation – which included re-learning how to walk, talk, feed herself, and gain her strength as a mother – CPL. Crutchfield and her two children moved back to Knoxville to be with family. There, she raised both children, who are now 23 and 25, and eventually moved to Cypress, TX with her new husband and college-age son.

CPL. Crutchfield has been awarded a Bronze Star, as well as three Purple Hearts, Army Achievement Medal (AAM), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge.

We cannot wait to welcome CPL Crutchfield and her family to their new, beautiful home at Tradition this fall.

For more information about Mattamy Homes, visit MattamyHomes.com.

Today, our hearts are full as more than a dozen couples officiated their everlasting love at a mass wedding ceremony at Tradition – all set against the backdrop of the community’s newly unveiled and highly anticipated sculpture: Heart in the Park!

As Tradition residents and city officials gathered to celebrate the sculpture’s ribbon-cutting debut, the couples – who hail from Tradition and surrounding areas in Port St Lucie – were married at the “Heart” by officiant Michelle R. Miller, Clerk, Comptroller for St. Lucie County. Suffice it to say that love was in the air.

Soaring to 73 feet in height, Heart in the Park is officially the world’s tallest heart sculpture and a defining art piece. Situated at the center of a community park between Village Parkway and Discovery Way, the heart symbolizes connection and captures the spirit of Port St. Lucie and Tradition, reminding residents that home is, in fact, where the heart is.

We worked closely with internationally acclaimed Filipino American artist JEFRË on the Heart in the Park design, ensuring it’s not only a sculpture, but also a community hub where residents and visitors can relax, socialize, and stroll. Its gentle twist rises above a circular pedestal measuring 30 feet in diameter – recalling St. Louis’s iconic Gateway Arch – and its surface will be illuminated nightly, casting a captivating glow over the park.

The heart sits atop a raised plaza designed to complement The Shoppes at the Heart, a 71,000 square-foot commercial center which will include stores, restaurants, cafes and more upon completion.

That said, mark your calendars – because we’re spreading the love: On Saturday, July 12, Heart in the Park’s official public grand opening event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors and locals from across the region are encouraged to come by, enjoy the sculpture and plaza, take Instagram-worthy pictures in front of the Heart, and stroll through the newly opened The Shoppes at the Heart. This event, which we’ll be hosting in partnership with the American Heart Association, will also include public CPR training sessions for attendees.

Getting to The Heart in the Park plaza is easy, with vehicular parking and bicycle parking available nearby. A T.I.M. stop for Tradition’s shuttle system will be provided at Heart in the Park soon.

Whether it’s day or night, we hope the sculpture will become a highlight for everyone who visits, evoking a sense of unity and representing the beating heart of Tradition.

Heart in the Park is situated along Tradition Trail – commonly known as the T-Trail – as one of a series of planned experiences. Additional slated experiences include Stars and Stripes Park (which is slated to open this summer), nature trails and Tradition Regional Park.

For more information on Tradition, visit www.traditionfl.com.

May 9th was an incredibly special day at Tradition. Mattamy once again participated in Helping a Hero’s mission to empower severely wounded military personnel – this time, by building a new home in the Kenley neighborhood for Corporal Sue Crutchfield – a veteran and double amputee – and her family.

The groundbreaking kicked off with a heartfelt morning ceremony attended by CPL. Crutchfield, city officials, and students from Tradition Preparatory High School, who performed the national anthem. With the build now underway, we plan to officially welcome CPL. Crutchfield and her family to their new Port St. Lucie home in September. The home will feature four bedrooms and three bathrooms and will be modified to fit CPL. Crutchfield and her family’s needs.

“It is truly an honor to partner with Helping a Hero and build a home for a veteran who has given so much to this country,” said Dan Grosswald, Mattamy’s Southeast Florida Division President. “We know the residents of Kenley, and Tradition as a whole, will give CPL. Crutchfield and her family a warm welcome.”

CPL. Crutchfield’s story is one of true courage, sacrifice, strength, resilience … and hope.

Originally from Knoxville, Tenn., CPL. Crutchfield enlisted as an Army police officer in December of 2004. After basic training, she was stationed in Germany and deployed to Afghanistan in early 2006. That November, CPL. Crutchfield’s unit was en route for an overnight mission when their Humvee was struck by five landmines powered by a Rocket Propelled Grenade – all as the enemy fired shots in their direction. CPL. Crutchfield’s fellow soldiers were both killed and, after she was shot in the left hip, the blast took off both of her legs below the knee, lacerated organs, and caused a traumatic brain injury.

With all Medevac helicopters grounded, Crutchfield had to endure an eight-hour Humvee transport over rough terrain to Bagram Air Force Base. She was taken to Germany and then transferred to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where she underwent dozens of surgeries. Crutchfield received her first pair of prosthetics in March of 2007.

After two years of surgeries and rehabilitation – which included re-learning how to walk, talk, feed herself, and gain her strength as a mother – CPL. Crutchfield and her two children moved back to Knoxville to be with family. There, she raised both children, who are now 23 and 25, and eventually moved to Cypress, Texas with her new husband and college-age son.

CPL. Crutchfield has been awarded a Bronze Star, as well as three Purple Hearts, Army Achievement Medal (AAM), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Over Seas Service Ribbon, and Combat Action Badge.

“Corporal Crutchfield is an incredibly strong and determined woman. She faces daily challenges just getting around, but she never lets that stop her,” said Meredith Iler, Founder and National Chair, Helping a Hero Home Program. “She is a true hero who deserves the freedom of an adapted home and a supportive community that can meet her medical and prosthetic needs. We are confident that Mattamy Homes and the Tradition community will provide her a future where she truly thrives.”

Founded in 2006, Helping a Hero is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides support for military personnel severely injured in the Global war on terror. Its principal activity is to provide specially adapted homes for qualifying service members through partnerships made with the builders, developers, communities, and the veteran.

To learn more about Helping a Hero, visit HelpingAHero.org. For more information about Mattamy Homes, visit MattamyHomes.com.

Tradition is about to get even more family-friendly: We’re thrilled to announce that, as of March 25, construction has officially begun on Western Grove School – a state-of-the-art, K-8 facility!

Slated to open in 2026, we’re working with St. Lucie Public Schools to build the school west of Regional Park off “Sundance Vista,” a road we are currently constructing south of Tradition Parkway. Once completed, Sundance Vista will provide direct access between Tradition Parkway and the school.

Western Grove School will also be conveniently situated across from the Seville community and just south of the Cadence community – making commutes, carpools and even walks to campus a breeze for Tradition residents.

Once complete, Western Grove School will span 225,000 square feet and serve about 1,600 students with a staff of 150 – ultimately helping St. Lucie County support its rapidly growing number of students.

We are proud to work directly with the St. Lucie County School Board to bring Western Grove School to the exceptional Tradition community.

For more information, and to stay up to date on all the exciting openings and events happening at Tradition, follow us on Instagram at @tradition_fl and Facebook at @LifeAtTradition

A sense of belonging and togetherness is at the very “heart” of everything we do at Tradition – and it’s also a guiding vision behind the newest addition to our community. The countdown is officially on as we prepare to celebrate the summer debut of Tradition’s highly anticipated sculpture: Heart in the Park!

Soaring to 73 feet tall, Heart in the Park will symbolize connection and capture the spirit of Port St. Lucie and Tradition. And – drum roll, please – it will also be the world’s tallest heart sculpture!

We worked closely with internationally acclaimed Filipino American artist JEFRË on Heart in the Park’s design, ensuring it’s not only a sculpture, but also a community hub where residents and visitors can relax, socialize, and stroll. Shoppes at the Heart, which will include a dynamic tenant roster of stores, restaurants, cafes and more, will open in phases throughout 2025.

Heart in the Park’s gentle twist will rise above a circular pedestal measuring 30 feet in diameter, recalling St. Louis’s iconic Gateway Arch. The sculpture will sit atop a raised plaza designed to align with Shoppes at the Heart. At night, the heart’s surface will be illuminated, casting a captivating glow that creates a dreamy atmosphere in the plaza. Whether it’s day or night, we hope the sculpture will become a highlight for everyone who visits, representing the beating heart of Tradition.

Residents and visitors can easily access Heart in the Park by car, bike or the T.I.M. as the area will include, bicycle parking, and a T.I.M. stop, as well as public seating and gathering areas.

Fully funded and donated by Mattamy Homes as part of our public art program, Heart in the Park is located along Tradition Trail – commonly known as the T-Trail – as one of a series of planned experiences. Additional slated experiences include Stars and Stripes Park, Tradition Regional Park, and nature trails.

Heart in the Park is truly something to love – and we can’t wait to share it with you!

COUPLES: Are you looking to get married in the next couple of months? Reach out to mackenzie.averill@traditionfl.com for your chance to get married at the Heart!

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived—the Telaro Amenity Clubhouse is officially open! This stunning new addition to our community is the most luxurious and opulent amenity island to be built in a 55+ community on the Treasure Coast, perfect for residents seeking an idyllic lifestyle filled with enjoyment and relaxation. Spanning an impressive 20,000 square feet, it’s the ultimate space designed to elevate your lifestyle.

A Bold New Destination for Wellness, Connection, and Fun

Step into the clubhouse and experience an atmosphere of luxury and tranquility. With a professionally designed lounge and expansive gathering hall, it’s the perfect venue for community events, casual hangouts, or simply enjoying time with friends and neighbors. Enjoy a coffee from the grab-and-go café, channel your culinary creativity in the demonstration kitchen, or head to the state-of-the-art fitness center with dedicated spaces for weight training, spin, and aerobics. And when you’re ready to unwind, relax in the soothing massage therapy rooms or steam rooms—complete with every comfort you can imagine.

Resort-Style Outdoor Amenities

Step outside and you’ll find a beach club area that includes a resort-style pool, lap pool, whirlpool spa, and a cabana lounge, all with beautiful views of the grand lake. For those looking for a bit of peace and quiet, there’s a serene outdoor tranquility garden, perfect for yoga and gardening. Active residents will enjoy the sports center, featuring pickleball, basketball, and bocce courts, offering plenty of options for both relaxation and fun. Whether you’re swimming, soaking up the sun, playing sports, or socializing with neighbors, these outdoor spaces are the perfect places to enjoy every moment.

A Celebration of Community

This marks the completion of phase two of our community’s amenities, with even more exciting developments on the way. We’re thrilled to see the clubhouse become a central hub for your lifestyle, and we can’t wait to see how you make the most of these new spaces!

At Mattamy Homes, we are always striving to provide the best living experience for our residents, and we are thrilled to announce exciting updates to the Tradition in Motion (TIM) service that will make mobility in our community even more convenient, accessible, and sustainable.

After listening to your feedback, we are rolling out a new and improved service that will begin in early December and will offer residents a more efficient, faster, and enhanced transportation option.

Here’s what you can expect from the upgraded TIM service:

• Increased Speeds
  We know speed matters when it comes to getting around, and we’ve made significant improvements. The new service will now travel at speeds of up to 25 mph, so you can get to your destination faster and with ease.
• Now Driver-Driven, Not Autonomous
  One of the most exciting changes is that the TIM vehicles will now be driver-driven. While we were initially testing fully autonomous technology, we’ve listened to the community’s needs, and we believe that having an experienced driver at the wheel will offer a more personalized and responsive service.
• Expanded Routes for Greater Accessibility
  In response to your feedback, we’ve expanded the TIM service to cover more of the community. The new routes will include popular destinations in Western Grove such as Fern Lake, Regional Park, and the WeGro Roundabout, as well as the soon-to-open Heart in the Park. The service will also return to The Landings and continue to serve Talk in the Park and Telaro—ensuring you can easily travel between all your favorite spots.
• Continued Commitment to Sustainability
  As always, TIM remains an electric-powered transportation option, in line with our commitment to sustainability. We are proud to continue offering a greener and cleaner way to move through the community, without sacrificing convenience.
• New-and-Improved Vehicles
  The upgraded TIM service will feature new, modern vehicles designed with your comfort in mind. Each shuttle can accommodate up to five passengers and features comfortable seating, individual doors for each passenger, and operable windows for added convenience. These vehicles are built for smooth, reliable service, ensuring a pleasant ride every time.
• Managed by BEEP
  TIM is still managed by BEEP, who will keep things running smoothly for you. With their expertise, you’ll continue to get a reliable, seamless experience that meets the needs of our community.

We’re Responding to Your Feedback

The new TIM service is the direct result of your feedback. We’ve heard your suggestions, and we’ve worked hard to make the necessary improvements. This upgrade is just one of the many ways we are continuing to enhance the Tradition community to meet the ever-changing needs of our residents. Our commitment to providing enhanced mobility options and sustainability remains at the core of everything we do.

We are excited to bring this enhanced TIM service to our residents and look forward to seeing you take advantage of the improvements. Stay tuned for more updates on launch dates, route specifics, and additional details in the coming weeks! These vehicles will be in service across several routes, starting this December with the Western Grove stops, Talk in the Park, and The Landings.

Keep an eye on your inbox, social media, and our website for further announcements as we get closer to the official launch. We can’t wait for you to experience the new and improved Tradition in Motion!

At Tradition, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of innovative development. From launching the Tradition in Motion (TIM) shuttle to building the world’s tallest heart sculpture, we create out-of-the-box concepts that make residents excited to engage with the community.

With that in mind, we have some exciting new developments in the pipeline to share.

On Saturday, June 22, residents enjoyed a first-hand look at our revamped e-bike sharing program and new Tradition amenities coming soon during the Bike and Trike in the Square event. Participants in the guided community bicycle and e-bike ride learned about the 124-acre Tradition Regional Park located in Tradition’s Western Grove, which will break ground on July 17, and the expansion of the Tradition Trail, commonly known as the T-Trail.

Located on the western portion of Tradition Parkway, near Tradition Preparatory High School and Renaissance Charter School, Tradition Regional Park is Port St. Lucie’s first regional park, which will cater to families, sports enthusiasts and recreation seekers.

The initial phase, which was unanimously approved by the Port St. Lucie City Council last year, will span 55 acres and include four multi-use, illuminated baseball fields; a multi-use, illuminated soccer and football field; three unlit, multi-use practice fields; a pad-ready site for a BMX facility and track; restrooms, parking and a maintenance facility.

The BMX facility will be completed after the initial phase and will include an awards stage with seating, a track for USA BMX-sanctioned races, restrooms, registration, concessions and a bike park kids’ zone.

Currently, the expansive T-trail system connects Manderlie and the Talk in The Park Trailhead to Tradition Town Center. It will eventually weave through the entire Tradition community, connecting the SoGro and Western Grove neighborhoods, including the new Cadence and Seville communities, which are now selling. The T-trail will also connect to Tradition’s Town Center, the Cleveland Clinic, and future parks and commercial centers, with experiential stops or “trailheads” along the way.

The Bike and Trike event, in partnership with Sprockets, our official e-bike partner, featured an e-bike showcase, where attendees learned about the features and benefits of our new and improved e-bikes. They also got a first-hand look at the latest technology used in their design, which will soon be available throughout the community. Attendees enjoyed breakfast provided by 3 Natives and Tueste Coffee truck to keep bikers hydrated and fueled for their ride.

By: Sooji Nam

Posted 5:48PM, June 5, 2024

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — You’ll soon be able to see the world’s tallest heart sculpture right on the Treasure Coast as crews assembled one of its largest pieces on Wednesday.

“The largest piece is about 50,000 pounds,” Celine Walsh, Mattamy Homes’ director of Amenities and Commercial Projects for the Southeast Florida division, told WPBF 25 News.

The 73-foot stainless steel sculpture was initially supposed to be complete by 2022, but there had been a delay.

Mattamy Homes project, “Heart in the Park” by Village Parkway and Discovery Way in Tradition is now slowly coming together.

Crews brought the third section of the stainless-steel heart sculpture this week, and officials said they have five more transports to go before the project is officially complete.

“The developers within Tradition make an art contribution to the city. And as a part of that contribution, Mattamy chose to do the ‘Heart in the Park’ as one large contribution,” Walsh said.

Walsh said the project cost Mattamy Homes, the master developer of Tradition, millions of dollars.

“It’s a welcomed addition, we have been waiting for two or three years since the initial concept,” Mary Milmore, who lives in Tradition, told WPBF 25 News. “I’m happy to see that it’s finally here.”

Port St. Lucie police had also helped escort the largest piece of the sculpture on Wednesday. Roads nearby were shut down as crews assembled the sculpture safely.

“Come to Port St. Lucie and see the structure of the heart when it is complete,” Milmore said.

WPBF 25 News reached out to the city of Port St. Lucie, and while Mayor Shannon Martin was unavailable for an interview, she released this statement below:

“We are thrilled to welcome JEFRË’s heart sculpture to Port St. Lucie, a symbol of LOVE and UNITY that will enhance our city’s public art, become an iconic gathering spot, and boost our local economy. Funded by Mattamy Homes, with no cost to taxpayers, this unique, interactive sculpture further illustrates Port St. Lucie’s identity as the Heart of the Treasure Coast.”

The sculpture will be complete and fully visible by fall of this year. Officials anticipate the heart and the plaza to be fully complete by spring 2025.

Article from: https://www.wpbf.com/article/florida-port-st-lucie-tradition-heart-in-the-park-largest-heart-sculpture/61008404

Developer and City of Port St. Lucie will host groundbreaking event on April 25

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Mattamy Homes, the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, is breaking ground on the highly anticipated Stars and Stripes Park at its Tradition master-planned community in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

Set to open in early 2025, Stars and Stripes Park is a brilliant mix of green spaces, scenic ponds and themed art installations designed to honor first responders and veterans, as well as provide an astronomical learning experience for the community.

Evoking a sense of pride and reflection, Stars and Stripes Park is anchored by a prominent display centered around a majestic waving flag and massive, gleaming star sculptures bearing symbols of service and thoughtful quotes from veterans, first responders and front-line medical personnel. The letters and shapes are cut out and lit colorfully from within using unique point-source lighting technology which projects the images onto the ground and visitors at night. The stars include many captivating design elements that illuminate the surrounding areas and extend the art experience beyond their physical boundaries. Experienced in their totality, the stars and stripes honor the service of veterans, first responders and front-line medical professionals as detailed quotes tell a fascinating story of service, perseverance, courage, bravery and reflection.

“We’re very excited to bring Stars and Stripes Park to life at Tradition. This will surely become a popular gathering spot for the community, particularly on patriotic holidays,” said Dan Grosswald, Mattamy’s Southeast Florida Division President. “The park’s artistic and thoughtful displays will enrich the lives of Tradition’s residents, creating an even stronger sense of pride and appreciation in the community.”

To celebrate the park groundbreaking, Mattamy Homes and the City of Port St. Lucie will host an event on Thursday, April 25 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 12441 Southwest Village Parkway. Attendees will enjoy light bites, brief speeches by city and Mattamy Homes representatives, and a photo opp.

“Stars and Stripes Park will be a wonderful addition to our city, honoring our first responders and veterans while offering a beautiful space for Port St. Lucie residents to enjoy,” said Mayor Shannon Martin. “Parks play a vital role in the well-being of our beautiful community, and we are committed to providing more greenspaces and recreational opportunities across the city.”

Another “star” attraction of the park will be an awe-inspiring solar system display, centered around a brilliant sun dial with gyroscopic rings of metal and multi-colored translucent inserts that change color as the sun moves through the sky. This section, which includes an art installation and name for each planet, was created to demonstrate the considerable range of distances between the planetary orbits. Each planet will be illuminated at night for a colorful display.

The concentric circles in the display start very close together, representing how the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars hug the inside of the solar system. Accordingly, the orbits become much more distant from one another as viewers travel outward, with Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto rounding out the solar system—a stunning visualization that invites residents to contemplate Earth’s modest place in their solar system, galaxy, and universe.

A thoughtfully placed stand of bamboo trees divides the park’s solar system area from the parking lot, creating an appealing and conceptual buffer between areas while adding a unique tree line for photo opportunities on either side. Decorated, line-of-sight walkways connect the various areas of Stars and Stripes Park, making it an ideal place for residents to walk and explore. The park also features a traffic circle with shaded seating for TIM shuttle passengers.

Over the past five years, Mattamy Homes has been at the helm of Tradition’s continued evolution, bringing to life several new neighborhoods including Manderlie, Emery, Telaro and Cadence – with more in the pipeline. The developer has also focused on creating state-of-the-art innovations to enrich the residential experience at Tradition, including the Tradition in Motion (TIM) shuttle and an e-bike sharing program, which provide easy connectivity between key community destinations.

Mattamy recently broke ground on its 73-foot HEART in the Park sculpture, which will be the tallest heart sculpture in the world once complete next spring.

Tradition’s impressive range of amenities, community events and bustling town center have been a major draw for residents, helping to create a strong and inviting sense of community where neighbors can engage, participate in events and build meaningful connections.

For more information about Tradition, please visit www.traditionfl.com.

About Mattamy Homes

Mattamy Homes is the largest privately owned homebuilder in North America, with 40-plus years of history across the United States and Canada. Every year, Mattamy helps more than 8,000 families realize their dream of homeownership. In the United States, the company is represented in 11 markets — Dallas, Charlotte, Raleigh, Phoenix, Tucson, Jacksonville, Orlando (where its U.S. head office is located), Tampa, Sarasota, Naples and Southeast Florida. In Canada, Mattamy Homes’ communities stretch across the Greater Toronto Area as well as Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton. Visit www.mattamyhomes.com for more information.