The Evolution of Wildlight
2007 - The vision begins
Nassau County's Vision 2032 strategic plan identifies Rayonier's timberlands east of I-95 as the site for a comprehensively planned new community. Initial planning and entitlement work begins between Nassau County and Rayonier.
2011 - East Nassau Community Planning Area approved
Nassau County and the Florida State Legislature approve the ENCPA — a sector plan covering all 24,000 acres of Rayonier land stretching from Florida A1A north to the St. Marys River. It establishes the legal and planning framework for everything that follows.
2016 - Groundbreaking
Site preparation begins in spring 2016. Construction starts simultaneously on Wildlight Elementary School and Rayonier's new 55,000-square-foot global headquarters — the community's first two buildings. Raydient Places + Properties is established as the master developer.
2017 - First buildings open
The Rayonier headquarters opens in August 2017, making it the first company to locate in Wildlight. Wildlight Elementary School opens alongside it — A-rated from day one. UF Health enters a strategic health alliance with Rayonier and the University of Florida to build medical facilities on A1A.
2018 - YMCA partnership announced; builders selected
The First Coast YMCA announces its partnership with UF Health and Raydient to bring a full wellness facility to Wildlight. Dostie Homes is selected as the community's third residential builder, introducing the first townhomes in Founder's Park.
2019 - First homes delivered; UF Health opens
D.S. Ware Homes, Dream Finders Homes, and Dostie Homes deliver Wildlight's first residential homes. UF Health Wildlight opens on A1A, offering primary care, urgent care, imaging, and specialty services — the community's first healthcare anchor.
2020 - YMCA at Wildlight opens
The First Coast YMCA opens at Wildlight with fitness equipment, group exercise studios, an indoor track, youth programming, swim lessons, and summer camps — cementing health and wellness as built-in community infrastructure.
2021 - Trail system opens; Forest Park expands
Wildlight's first trail network opens — more than six miles of paved, gravel, and natural routes connecting neighborhoods, schools, parks, and the town center. Riverside Homes and Pulte Homes are selected as Forest Park's second-phase builders. Del Webb announces its 55+ community coming to Wildlight.
2022 - Publix opens; Del Webb launches; Commerce Park announced
The Crossings at Wildlight — a Publix-anchored shopping center — opens in June, bringing full grocery service to the community. Del Webb Wildlight opens its gated 55+ neighborhood. Pattillo Industrial Real Estate announces Wildlight Commerce Park, a 165-acre Class A industrial development.
2024 - Wawa opens; Hawthorn Park launches; 550 rental units added
Nassau County's first Wawa opens at Wildlight in July. Hawthorn Park — Pulte's bungalow neighborhood with rear-loading garages — opens for sales. Hamlet at Wildlight and Exchange at Wildlight add approximately 550 rental units. Westerly Park is announced as the newest Town District neighborhood. Baptist Nassau Crossing Medical Campus opens in November.
2025 - Westerly Park selling; Garden District announced; HCA opens
Pulte Homes and David Weekley Homes open sales in Westerly Park. HCA Healthcare's freestanding emergency center opens in March. The Garden District is announced in September — Wildlight's most significant expansion to date, covering 4,700 acres with 2,000 acres of conservation land. Toll Brothers, Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes, and Ashton Woods are named as its first builders.
Coming Spring 2026 - Suncatch Park amenity center opens
Westerly Park's new community amenity center — Suncatch Park — opens with a family pool, six-lane lap pool, open-air pavilion, playground, and picnic areas. Available to all Wildlight residential association members.
Mid 2026 - Garden District model homes open
The first Garden District model homes open in the Bellflower, Woodlyn, and Mayfield neighborhoods. Sales begin for homes by Toll Brothers, Perry Homes, David Weekley Homes, and Ashton Woods on 50-, 60-, and 70-foot lots.
Planned for 2026-2027 - Oak Hammock amenity center and Church of Eleven22
The Garden District's Oak Hammock opens — a community hub with clubhouse, fitness center, pool, playground, and the Gear Shed offering bikes and recreational equipment to residents and the public. The Church of Eleven22's 40,000-square-foot Wildlight campus, announced in 2024, is also targeted for completion.
Long-Term | The full vision: 24,000 homes, 50+ miles of trails, Green Ribbon
At full build-out — a 75-to-100-year horizon — Wildlight is planned for 24,000 homes, over 10,500 acres of preserved greenway, 50+ miles of trails, multiple schools, new fire and police stations, and the Green Ribbon: a 13-mile linear park opening the St. Marys River bluffs to the public for the first time. The East Nassau Stewardship District manages conservation land and infrastructure in perpetuity.