Some public spaces offer a place to sit. Others become a place to stay. In the heart of Port St. Lucie’s Tradition community, a new landmark does more than invite visitors—it welcomes them to reflect, connect, and celebrate.
Heart in the Park, a striking new public space centered around a monumental sculpture by internationally renowned artist JEFRĒ, isn’t just about public art. It’s about people. The people who envisioned it. The people who designed and built it. And most importantly, the people who now gather there—to linger over coffee, take a selfie, share a kiss, or renew their wedding vows.
What sets this project apart is its seamless fusion of creativity, community, and collaboration. Mattamy Homes, the project’s master developer, played a pivotal role in imagining something more than just a functional park—something that would become a true focal point for Tradition. With Project Manager Celine Walsh helping to guide the process, the team worked with purpose and clarity to bring every element together. From the initial question of how public art could make a deeper impact, to thoughtful coordination between design, engineering, and artistic partners, their leadership helped ensure every detail—from landscape flow to LED lighting—contributed to a unified, people-centered experience.
Heart in the Park offers a place for more than recreation. It provides a stage for connection, a backdrop for celebration, and a destination that residents and visitors alike can take pride in. In a world where development often feels transactional, this project serves as a reminder that design can be transformational.
It All Started with a Question: “What if we did something truly special?”
In Tradition, like in many planned communities, new developments come with a public art requirement—a city mandate designed to ensure that as places grow, they do so with intention and cultural texture. Rather than checking a box with small, disconnected art pieces scattered across different neighborhoods, Mattamy Homes, the master developer of Tradition, saw an opportunity to do something larger, bolder, and more meaningful.
It began with a bold reimagining of what’s possible: What if we pooled together our public art contributions to create a single, iconic space? One that could stand as a cultural and emotional anchor for the entire community?
This thinking was the spark that lit the fuse for Heart in the Park. What began as a requirement became a canvas for creativity, vision, and community building. Mattamy Homes initiated the planning process and reached out to partners who could help bring this bigger vision to life—including the team at Lucido & Associates.
“They saw an opportunity and brought us in to help create a space that was truly meaningful,” said Kevin Velinsky, a senior designer at Lucido. “The goal wasn’t just to fulfill a requirement—it was to give Tradition a true heart.”
Bringing in a World-Renowned Voice: JEFRĒ’s Signature Style
At the center of the park stands a sculpture that commands attention—a monumental metal heart created by internationally acclaimed artist JEFRĒ. Known for his large-scale, thought-provoking installations across the globe, from London to Manila to Orlando, JEFRĒ (born Jefre Figueras Manuel) brings a unique voice to public art. His work often plays at the intersection of identity, urban storytelling, and the emotional power of form.
In Tradition, that emotional power comes through in spades. The heart is not just a sculpture—it’s a symbol. A visual metaphor for love, unity, and belonging. Crafted with JEFRĒ’s signature attention to geometry and surface, it invites people to see themselves reflected in it—quite literally.
The selection of internationally acclaimed artist JEFRĒ set the tone for the project’s bold and expressive identity. Known for his ability to shape space through monumental forms, JEFRĒ brought a powerful visual language to the concept from the start. Originally, the sculpture was envisioned at a larger scale but as the project evolved and partners came together to refine the experience, the heart was resized to better integrate with the space—without losing any of its striking presence.
JEFRĒ’s involvement added artistic gravity to the project, transforming it from a simple park into a destination. And for the Lucido team, it provided a compelling focal point around which to design a people-centered space.
Designing the Space Around the Sculpture
While the sculpture may be the showpiece, the plaza surrounding it is what turns Heart in the Park into a place for people. This is where Lucido & Associates brought their planning and placemaking expertise to the forefront—shaping not just how the space looks, but how it feels, flows, and functions.
Located on almost an acre, the site could have easily become just another outparcel—if not for the shared vision of creating a central heart that integrates with the broader commercial development. Instead of more isolated commercial space, Lucido worked with multiple partners to expand the site’s impact. Directly adjacent to the park is a 15-acre commercial plaza developed by Banyan Development and Pebb Enterprises. Rather than allowing the two parcels to exist in isolation, the team coordinated efforts to create an interconnected experience. Mason Development and Construction, the contractor hired by our client, played a key role in bringing the design to life throughout the construction process.
The result? A park that doesn’t just sit next to the plaza—it flows into it. An alleyway connection serves as a pedestrian-friendly corridor between the two spaces. Restaurants, an outdoor bar, boutique shops, a coffee spot, and a dessert shop now orbit the heart—not by accident, but by design.
“We worked really closely with Mattamy Homes, Banyan Development & Pebb Entreprises to create something that felt integrated and intentional,” Velinsky explained. “The goal was to make sure the heart didn’t just exist—it became a true destination, supported by the surrounding uses.”
This collaboration transformed what could have been a static display into a dynamic gathering hub. From morning coffee runs to evening strolls, the space invites people to weave it into their daily rhythms.
Concept to Concrete: Collaboration and Craftsmanship
Designing a successful public space is never just about good ideas—it’s about translating those ideas into reality with care, precision, and collaboration. For the Lucido team, the journey from concept to construction involved dozens of key decisions and coordination across disciplines.
The early phases focused on broad concepts and big questions. What should the flow of people look like? Should there be parking nearby? How could the TIM Path (Tradition’s beloved trail system) tie into the experience? These questions weren’t afterthoughts—they were the foundation of the design.
“We spent a lot of time up front sketching ideas, testing layouts, and thinking about how people would use the space,” Velinsky said. “It was a collaborative process to get everything just right.”
The team worked with Kimley-Horn, the civil engineering firm on the project, to design grading, drainage, and accessibility. They also coordinated with electrical engineers to incorporate integrated LED lighting throughout the plaza, creating a safe and welcoming environment even after sunset.
Lucido & Associates produced the hardscape, landscape, and site plan designs—from the seat walls and staircases to plant selection and spatial programming. The landscape palette was minimal by design, relying on durable, heat-tolerant species that can withstand Florida’s sun while providing texture and greenery.
Every detail was deliberate. Even the position of the seat walls encourages social interaction, photo ops, and moments of pause. It’s a space designed for use, not just for looks.
A Place for People—and Moments That Matter
The true success of any public space can be measured not in blueprints or renderings, but in how people respond to it. On June 27, 2025, that response came loud and clear during Heart in the Park’s ribbon cutting ceremony—a moment that brought the community together in a deeply meaningful way.
In a touching celebration of love and connection, more than a dozen couples renewed their marriage vows beneath the sculpture, turning the event into something far more personal than a traditional opening. Surrounded by friends, neighbors, and the sculpture’s symbolic embrace, couples said “I do” all over again—proving that this park wasn’t just about place, but about people.
“That’s probably my favorite part,” said Velinsky. “Seeing people out there enjoying the space—a space that was once just an idea—is what it’s all about.”
From selfies in front of the sculpture to quiet moments under the evening lights, Heart in the Park is already becoming woven into the fabric of daily life in Tradition. It’s a place for celebrations, for casual hangouts, and for everything in between.
What’s Next: A Full Public Opening Is Coming Soon
While the ribbon cutting offered a joyful preview of what’s to come, the official public opening is still ahead. The City of Port St. Lucie is putting the final touches on access and programming, with the full grand opening expected in the coming weeks.
Once fully open, the park will be available to all—residents, visitors, and anyone seeking a moment of inspiration. It will serve as both a beacon and a backdrop for community events, casual meetups, and cultural activities.
As Tradition continues to grow, Heart in the Park will remain a central, symbolic part of that growth—a gathering space at the intersection of art, planning, and community spirit.
At the Intersection of Art, Design, and Community
Heart in the Park isn’t just a completed project—it’s a living, breathing example of what’s possible when public art, thoughtful planning, and community vision align.
It embodies Lucido & Associates’ commitment to PLACE:
- People who gather and connect there
- Landscape that responds to its environment
- Architecture that complements rather than competes
- Community that makes the space meaningful
- Environment that is resilient and responsive
This is more than infrastructure. It’s more than a sculpture. It’s a space that will continue to grow in meaning as people make memories there.
At the center of Tradition, there now beats a literal and symbolic heart—crafted by artists, designers, developers, and most importantly, embraced by the people who call this place home.
Because in the end, every great place is defined not just by what is built, but by who it’s built for.
