One of the most notable features of Tradition Square is our Town Hall. In fact, you could fairly call it an iconic part of Tradition — perhaps even the centerpiece!

The vintage look of this historic church is certainly appropriate for the Tradition concept. The clocks mounted in the old steeple are a throwback to a simpler time, when people didn’t have smartphones to tell them the time of day.

With quaint uplighting after dusk, the tall steeple is also an immediately recognizable landmark. This would have been a very useful aid to local navigation from the years before Google Maps, but it’s just as helpful as a means of orienting yourself in modern times.

Today, the building serves as Tradition’s indoor events space and is regularly used for community events as well as private functions. Important occasions like weddings, birthdays and large gatherings are frequently held here — as well as open-to-the-public seminars, expos, cooking demonstrations and so forth.

Plans for an interior and exterior makeover will be underway in late 2022. The interior will be updated with neutral colors throughout, updated light fixtures and gorgeous new flooring. On the exterior, a stage area will be added facing Town Square Event Square to enhance the viewer experience for events.

Tradition’s Town Square is host to Town Hall, sitting next to the Town Square Event Green and near the gazebo. As a prominent lakeside landmark, Tradition Town Hall is easy for all Tradition residents to access — with both a central location and ample parking. It’s also accessible via the T Trail and is one of the convenient stops on the TIM autonomous shuttle routes.

If you haven’t already visited Tradition Town Hall, you should stop by. It might be the perfect space for your next event!

One of the first, and most definitive, amenities in Tradition is the Tradition Trail — commonly known as the T Trail. It’s the ultimate place to stretch your legs, get some fresh air and fill your soul with the soothing sights, sounds and scents of nature! Studies have proven that spending time outdoors — even something as simple as a leisurely walk — can help improve breathing, improve sleep and restore your mental clarity.

The T Trail is a wide, multi-use path winding through Tradition’s generous 300 acres of parks, ponds and conservation areas.  Through both sunny and shaded green spaces, the trail invites you to walk, jog, run or bicycle. Thanks to Florida’s year-round temperate weather, the trail can be used during any season and residents can continue to cash in on the benefits of staying active outdoors — like reduction of stress and muscle tension relief.

Bright and vibrant Tradition-branded colors highlight areas of the trail, such as the seating areas and intersection markings.

The Connect e-bike share program, coming fall 2022, is Tradition’s new program for residents to enjoy some leisure time on a shared electric bike — and it will be a perfect complement to the T Trail. Numerous charging/pickup stations are planned along the trail and at other key locations around Tradition, with the initial stations at Talk in the Park and Tradition Square. It’s entirely possible to catch a meal at Tradition Town Square and then “take the long way home” on the trail before heading back home.

The T Trail has become a part of the resident’s daily activities, making exercise a part of their healthy, happy lives at Tradition.

Continuing our dedication to providing inspiring amenities for residents, Tradition has proposed a very special outdoor amenity area with a sweeping vision. Stars And Stripes Park will be a major attraction for residents within the Tradition community and a brand-new destination on the routes of the familiar TIM shuttles.

The park itself is a brilliant mix of green areas, scenic ponds and themed art installations. A patriotic entrance wall with a bold “Stars and Stripes Park” logo will be festooned with red, white and blue flowers at its base. One prominent display is a circular area centered around huge, gleaming star sculptures bearing symbols, messages and inspirational quotes from veterans and first responders. These letters and shapes are cut out of the material and lit colorfully from within, projecting onto the ground at night. One of the stars also has swirl design elements that also illuminate the surrounding area.

Next to these stars is a majestic “waving flag” display. It’s easy to imagine this becoming a popular spot for gathering and reflection on patriotic holidays like Independence Day and Veteran’s Day.

One of the “star” attractions of the park is sure to be the solar system display, centered around a brilliant sun sculpture with “gyroscopic” rings of metal and multi-colored translucent inserts. This section has an art installation and name for each planet, arranged 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 start very close together, showing 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 we travel outward, with Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Pluto rounding out the solar system. It’s a visually stunning and awe-inspiring way to contemplate Earth’s modest place in our solar system, galaxy, and universe.

A carefully placed stand of bamboo trees divides this solar system area from the parking lot, creating a visual and conceptual buffer between areas and adding a non-typical tree line for great photo opportunities on either side.

Decorated, line-of-sight walkways connect the various areas of the park, making this a great place to stretch your legs and explore. There are internally-lit star sculptures suspended over water for a celestial effect. There’s also a traffic circle with shaded seating for TIM shuttle passengers.

Stars and Stripes Park is in the conceptual stages of planning and is proposed to open in the summer of 2023.

Residents’ well-being is woven deeply into Tradition’s original design and ongoing mission — from social activities and classes to on-site medical care. Amenities like the Tradition Trail (T Trail) and the expansive parklands that surround it are a fantastic way to commune with nature while staying fit. Meanwhile, the autonomous TIM (Tradition In Motion) shuttle service provides a free way for friends to explore Tradition’s offerings.

Coming this fall, a new program will further expand Tradition’s wellness offerings. We will introduce a complimentary e-bike share program (available for homeowners only) that will allow residents to pick up an e-bike at Town Square and Talk-in-the-park, with conveniently-located charging stations around the community.

The bikes may be ridden throughout Tradition, including the entire T Trail and Tradition Square, then returned at any e-bike station. This keeps them charged and ready for the next resident to use. We ask that the e-bikes not be used to leave the Tradition community premises.

Using the program will be simple. Tradition residents can download a simple smartphone app to find, unlock, ride and return an e-bike. The app will also provide you with an updated map of the Tradition community for easy navigation — both on and off the trails.

As for the bikes themselves, they couldn’t be any more fun to ride. You can pedal to your heart’s content, then engage the pedaling assistance whenever you want for a powerful burst of effort-free speed. The swift acceleration will bring a smile to your face — perhaps reminding you of carefree childhood days — while the slight effort of balancing and steering keeps your mind firmly focused on the immediate joy and discovery of the present moment. (That’s a state of mind most of us should try to experience more often!)

The benefits of this e-bike program are many. Pedaling for even a short distance can lead to positive health benefits and reduced stress, especially if you use the e-bike program regularly. Using the e-bikes is also eco-friendly, reducing your environmental impact greatly.

Best of all, using these speedy e-bikes may very well be the fastest and most worry-free mode of transportation available at Tradition!

From the very beginning, Tradition has been fulfilling the promise of a community that nourishes the body and mind while entertaining and uplifting the spirit. The plan has always been to complement this prime Treasure Coast location and wellness-focused lifestyle with thought-provoking art that attracts the attention and moves the soul.

From outdoor art installations across the open green spaces to the gigantic, upcoming HEART sculpture to the consistent styling of the TIM shuttles, Tradition has been noticeably demonstrating this commitment to vibrant visuals with meaning. Already underway is another high-profile example of aesthetic improvements that will be evident at the community entranceway residents (and visitors) see daily.

The entrance towers are ready for a refresh. These iconic towers are being revitalized with fresh paint and updated stonework to create a clean and even more exciting look. This lends itself to a spirit of optimism and Florida-style fun while adding to the community’s beautiful aesthetic.

These towers are icons for residents — representing home, community and the one-of-a-kind Tradition lifestyle — and boldly announcing, “you have arrived in Tradition.” Improvements like these are ongoing and will continue to set the standard for current and future residents’ high expectations for the Tradition experience.

As one of the nation’s most celebrated master-planned communities, Tradition has always put a strong emphasis on community. Each of our amenities — from the extensive T Trail to the free TIM autonomous shuttle service — foster friendship and an overall sense of positive, neighborly spirit.

One of Tradition’s most popular amenities is focused on socializing and fun. The Town Square Event Green is another central location for celebrating Tradition life. It’s an open green space that’s both relaxing and versatile, promoting health and well-being in everyone who takes advantage of it.

This family-friendly area plays host to open-air events year-round — giving you plenty of time to meet and greet friends and neighbors, new and old. This space is used to enjoy Fourth of July celebrations, attend live concerts, browse green markets, sample the fare at food truck invasions, view New Year’s Eve fireworks extravaganzas and so much more.

However, special events aren’t the only way for people to enjoy this amenity. Every day is a good day to visit! There’s a lot to be said for the simple pleasures of such a playful play space. From reading to kite flying to stargazing, everything’s better at the Event Green.

Adults can enjoy the Event Green, too, as a centralized meeting space with a hip, urban feel. Of course, with connectivity being another overarching theme of Tradition life, the Green is conveniently placed for easy access to both the TIM shuttle and e-bike share programs.

With its prime location in the heart of Town Square (just steps away from Town Hall, Dockside, shops and restaurants), the Event Green is a beacon of community togetherness and a sure source of fulfilling engagement with friends and neighbors. It encourages you to live your best life enjoying food, drink and entertainment in the great outdoors. All you’ll need is a lawn chair!

One of Tradition’s proposed amenities will soon become a reality, while rising immediately to the rarified level of world-class status. “HEART in the Park” will be a stunning and iconic new community space centered around a gleaming, metallic art installation that will be the largest heart sculpture in the world.

As of June 13, 2022, the City Council and Public Art Advisory Board of Port St. Lucie have both unanimously approved Tradition’s public art proposal for the project. Port St. Lucie Mayor Shannon Martin stated that it will position the area as a “cultural destination” that strengthens community spirit.

The Heart and its accompanying visitor center will occupy a raised public plaza along Tradition Trail, at the intersection of Discovery Way and Village Parkway. The grounds will be aligned with the pedestrian walkway and promenade from the Shoppes at the Heart project. There will be vehicle, golf cart and bicycle parking in addition to public seating and gathering areas, making this prominent and memorable new landmark a natural focal point for public events.

The Heart itself will shine brilliantly, accenting its whimsically curved shape and reflecting the green grass and blue skies that surround it. Residents can enter the HEART via a doorway in its circular pedestal, climb upstairs and emerge high above ground on a glass bridge connecting both sides of the HEART’s pointed bottom.

This picturesque catwalk will become an ideal spot for photo opportunities, date nights or even marriage proposals. From this spot in Tradition, people will take photos that will be seen all around the world. That’s sharing the love!

The HEART is the brainchild and creation of JEFRË, a Filipino-American multimedia artist who is no stranger to evocative, large-scale works. His internationally-recognized art installations grace prominent public spaces around Orlando, Philadelphia, Manila and beyond and he was chosen for his ability to create memorable, relatable and inclusive experiences for people. JEFRË explained his vision behind the project, saying “this HEART will be a postcard moment that brings people together.”

First announced in 2021, this project has won the imaginations of everyone involved. Once constructed, it is sure to become a much-visited favorite of residents and visitors. Quite appropriately, the HEART and park are scheduled for public dedication Valentine’s Day 2024.

The newest high school in St. Lucie County gets a big lift on Feb. 16 as the walls of its state-of-the art classrooms go up. Mattamy Homes and Charter Schools USA will celebrate the moment at 1 p.m. with a ceremony on-site at Tradition Preparatory High School.

“This is another step forward in Mattamy Homes’ vision for education at Tradition,” said Dan Grosswald, Mattamy President of Southeast Florida Division. “Students completing  lower grades will no longer have to leave their community for high school and they will receive superior education in the sciences.”

Mattamy Homes is underwriting part of the cost for the WISH program, which stands for Wellness, Innovation, Science and Health. As master developer of Tradition, the company is helping to create state-of-the-art labs,  supporting the school by designing its lobby and labs to give it a “Google HQ” look, and creating opportunities to connect the school with healthcare and innovative enterprises in the community.

“WISH will be at the center of our curriculum, which will include advanced placement courses and an international diploma, said principal Teresa Brown. “Our emphasis on preparation for higher education and our modern facilities will make our graduates more competitive college applicants and better prepared for rewarding careers.”

Tradition Preparatory High School will initially serve students in grade 9 and 10, adding a grade each year. Enrollment opened in December and will continue through the summer. Classes start in August. For more information, visit traditionprep.org.

The high school is part of the Charter Schools USA family of schools and is governed by Renaissance Charter School, Inc., which has been operating a network of the highest-performing charter schools in Florida for over a decade including the State of Florida’s first National Blue Ribbon Charter School. Renaissance Charter School at Tradition serves grades K-8.

ABOUT MATTAMY HOMES

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

ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS USA

Founded by Jonathan Hage in 1997, CSUSA is one of the largest and highest performing education management companies in the United States serving more than 70,000 students and employing more than 8500 educators. Each year more than 10,000 students are on waiting lists. CSUSA is the first education management company to receive corporation system-wide accreditation through Cognia, so every school managed by CSUSA automatically earns accreditation within its first year of operation. In the state of Florida, CSUSA high school’s average graduation rate of 93 percent exceeded the state average of 87 percent in 2019. In the 2020-2021 school year, CSUSA is operating nearly 100 schools in five states.