30TH ANNIVERSARY SPONSORS THANK YOU
As we celebrate the Village of Wellington’s 30th Anniversary, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the generous sponsors who helped make this milestone celebration possible. Your partnership reflects the community spirit that has guided Wellington since its earliest days and supports our shared commitment to building a thriving, welcoming place for residents and visitors alike. Thank you for investing in an event that honors our history, celebrates our present, and looks ahead to an even brighter future. Your continued support enriches the experiences, traditions, and connections that make Wellington a great hometown.
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15 20 26
WELLINGTON TO CELEBRATE THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF INCORPORATION JAN. 2
The Village of Wellington will celebrate its 30th year as a municipality in 2026. This historic year is set to begin with the 30th Anniversary Celebration event on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. BY FIONA SLUSAREV
FOR 30 YEARS, WELLINGTON HAS KEPT ITS FOCUS ON EQUESTRIAN AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY IDENTITIES
On the day it was born, Wellington already had 28,808 residents, several neighborhood shopping centers, and identities as both the “winter equestrian capital of the world” and one of the best places for families to live. BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
SIX-YEAR INCORPORATION EFFORT LED TO THE CREATION OF THE ‘VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON’ ON DECEMBER 31, 1995
CAPTURED IN PICTURES: THE STORY OF WELLINGTON
The story of Wellington started with the fortuitus meeting of C. Oliver Wellington, a wealthy accountant, and self-described “Florida Cracker” A.W. “Bink” Glisson. What happened next? Throughout this magazine, you’ll learn the story of Wellington through pictures of the people, events and institutions that created the community we know today.
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THE EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY PUTS WELLINGTON ON THE INTERNATIONAL MAP
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30 YEARS OF GROWTH AT VILLAGE PARK, WELLINGTON’S RECREATION ‘CROWN JEWEL'
Joshua I. Manning Dawn Rivera
creative director
Stephanie Rodriguez
graphic designer Yolanda Cernicky
account managers Betty Buglio Evie Edwards Alanna LaCasse Joetta Palumbo
administration Shanta Daibee Jill Kaskel Carol Lieberman
photography Frank Koester Abner Pedraza
contributors
Shannon Anastasio Angie Francalancia Fiona Slusarev
From the opening of the Palm Beach Polo Stadium in 1979, to the creation of the Winter Equestrian Festival in the 1980s, and later the Global Dressage Festival, horses have become the lifeblood of Wellington. BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
Wellington’s Village Park is the 114-acre “crown jewel” of the village’s award-winning parks and recreation system, hosting more than one million visitors each year. It was started shortly after incorporation, and the village continues to add amenities today. BY JOSHUA MANNING
FACTS & FIGURES: A SNAPSHOT OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON TODAY
From population to the budget, elected leaders to local schools, look here to find useful demographic information about the Village of Wellington today. BY JOSHUA MANNING
COUNCIL MEMBERS LOOK TOWARD THE FUTURE WHILE SERVING RESIDENTS TODAY
The Village of Wellington is led by a five-member council of local leaders who aim to take the wishes of residents and turn it into policy aimed at moving the community forward, while staying true to its past. BY JOSHUA MANNING
12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33 Wellington, FL 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Fax: (561) 793-1470 www.wellingtonthemagazine.com
published by
Wellington The Magazine Inc.
chairman/ceo
Barry S. Manning Copyright 2026, all rights reserved by Wellington The Magazine LLC. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising. The publisher accepts no responsibility for advertisement errors beyond the cost of the portion of the advertisement occupied by the error within the advertisement itself. The publisher accepts no responsibility for submitted materials. All submitted materials subject to editing.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
66
executive editor
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
63
JANUARY 2026
publisher
Wellington became a municipality on Dec. 31, 1995, through a resident vote that November. The inaugural Wellington Village Council was seated on March 28, 1996, after an election that included 27 candidates. BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
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30th Anniversary
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 7
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WELLINGTON
Letter From The Manager
Jim Barnes, Village Ma
nager
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
This year marks 30 yea rs since the incorporation of the Village of Wellin purpose. For those of gton — three decades us who have been par of vision, planning and t of this journey, it’s not been, what we’ve bec shared just an anniversary, it’s ome and where we’re a moment to reflect on heading. where we’ve I’ve had the privilege of serving this commu nity for 22 of those 30 a mature, nationally rec years. During that tim ognized community tha e, I’ve seen Wellingto t continues to balance firsthand the legacy of n evolve into growth, character and thoughtful leadership quality of life. I’ve wit and engaged citizenshi nessed p that defines Wellingto n’s story. When Wellington incorp orated in 1995, it did so with a clear purpos decision remains one e: to give residents a of our community’s defi voice in shaping our des ning moments. Incorp spent the past three tiny. That oration gave us local decades proving that control over our future, self-governance, when things. and we’ve rooted in community values, can achieve ext raordinary Over the years, we’ve built more than infrast ructure; we’ve built trus shared investment in t. Every park, roadway Wellington’s promise. and public facility rep We’ve developed a rep planning and a strong resents a utation for responsible commitment to public fiscal management, tho ser vice. And through it all, residents, our neighborh ughtful we’ve stayed grounded oods and our sense of in what matters most community. — our This anniversary is a cel ebration of what collab ora tion can accomplish. It’s residents, elected officia a testament to the pow ls and staff who care dee er of partnership betwe ply about this place. en When I first joined the village, Wellington stil l had the feel of a sm identity and establishing all town finding its rhy systems that would sup thm. We were focuse port long-term growth and well-managed com d on building . Today, we stand as one munities, known for our of Florida’s most respec high quality of life, stro ted ng schools, safe neighb orhoods and active civ Over time, our services ic life. have become more sop his ticated, our infrastructure and dynamic. What onc e felt like a suburban enc more resilient, and our community more divers lave has become a vib embraced technology, rant hub of family life, rec e expanded community reation and innovation engagement and strengt true to our roots. What . We’ve hened partnerships acr I find most inspiring is oss tha the t Wellington has change region, all while stayin losing the values that g d in all the right ways. brought us here: a com We’ve grown, yes, but mitment to excellence without , a culture of service and genuine care for one ano As we look ahead, We ther. llington’s next 30 yea rs will be defined by government must evo how we adapt. The wo lve with it. Our challen rld is changing rapidly, and ges will include manag addressing affordability, local ing redevelopment, stre and building resilience ngthening our infrastruc in the face of climate and ture, environmental pressu res. But I see tremendous opportunity ahead. We have a well-established strength. We will continu foundation that allows e to focus on sustainabi us to plan from a pos lity, smart growth and Wellington unique. If we ition of innovation, while protec remain true to the prin ting the qualities that cip les — I’m confident that We that guided our first 30 make llington’s future will be years — stewardship, collaboration and integrit every bit as remarkabl e as its past. y As we celebrate this mil estone, I’m reminded that the real measure It’s found in the everyd of success isn’t found ay moments — familie in population numbers s at the park, neighbors when they say they live or rankings. helping neighbors and in Wellington. the sense of pride peo ple feel Wellington is a place defi ned not by size, but by spi rit. forward, ensuring that And as we look to the Wellington remains a next 30 years, that spi community built on pur rit will continue to guide pose, connection and us gratitude.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 9
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WELLINGTON Letter From The Mayor
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 11
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
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Wellington To Celebrate 30th Anniversary Of Incorporation Jan. 2 And All Year Long BY FIONA SLUSAREV
munity event, has been made possible because residents, volunteers, our team members and elected leaders worked together with a sense of common purpose. That collaboration is our hallmark.” While the anniversary celebration on Friday, Jan. 2 will specifically mark the incorporation milestone, it is only the start of a year-long recognition of the growth of Wellington. Nowhere can the community’s growth be seen better than in the wide array of community events that the village stages each year. Following the anniversary celebration on Jan. 2 will be the grand opening of the new Wellington Aquatics Complex on Saturday, Jan. 3. The new complex, located near the 120th Avenue South entrance to Village Park, promises a spectacular array of amenities. Get excited for the state-ofthe-art facility with a ribbon cutting featuring the Wellington Village Council at 8 a.m. and a grand opening celebration that continues until 1 p.m. Festive feelings linger with the Senior New Year’s Party on Jan. 6, the Indian Harvest Festival on Jan. 17, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast and Day of Service on Jan. 19. Every Thursday from Jan. 8 and onward, through the month of May, Wellington’s Lakeside Market and Food Trucks combine a variety of vendors, tempting food and vibrant music from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater, including a Lunar New Year party on Jan. 22. Taste & Toast will offer a dazzling night of gourmet sips and snacks (21+ only) on Jan. 30. The annual Father-Daughter Dance will take place on Jan. 31, and the popular High-
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
sion by Wellington residents three decades ago to take control of their small, growing community and choose self-government, becoming the Village of Wellington that has since grown into one of South Florida’s most beloved hometowns. Brito described Wellington as, “A place with lots of offerings, for all pockets of the population. Whether that be kids, adults, seniors, families and equestrians, we have lots of offerings, and that is really special.” Wellington’s Village Manager Jim Barnes has been serving the community in a variety of governmental roles for more than 20 years. In his time, he has seen Wellington grow from a new municipality, trying to establish a foundation and identity, to a community with mature infrastructure and sophisticated services. But, for him, the most striking feature over the past 30 years has been that Wellington was able to grow and change, while still maintaining deep engagement from its tight-knit residents. “Wellington has grown without losing its sense of identity,” Barnes explained. “Despite change and expansion, we’ve held onto the values that make this place feel like home: safety, family, stewardship and community pride.” This sense of identity is what has driven the changes over the last 30 years. The community has carved out a unique niche, which makes people want to stay, Barnes said. “What makes Wellington’s story truly special is that our success has always been shared,” he stressed. “Every achievement: a new park, a safer intersection, an improved utility system or a vibrant com-
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
The Village of Wellington will celebrate its 30th year as a municipality in 2026. This historic year is set to begin with the 30th Anniversary Celebration event on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater, located at 12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd. This special anniversary event will bring families, friends and neighbors together for an evening full of live music, entertainment and community pride. Engaging activities and exciting performances will transform the amphitheater into a jubilant venue for children and adults alike. More than 5,000 people are expected to attend this momentous gathering, which will boast entertainment ranging from carnival rides and a Ferris wheel to a full ice-skating rink. A fireworks display will cap the celebratory evening. Three tribute bands are slated to play the night away: 56 Ace, Never Stop Believing and Turnstiles. Remember to come hungry, as a medley of vendors will offer a plethora of foods to choose from. Expect to see familiar vendor favorites from Wellington’s Lakeside Market, along with an enticing new assortment of booths. Community partners supporting this event include FCC Environmental Services, FPL, Guardians, the IAFF Professional Firefighters & Paramedics of Palm Beach County, Wellington Bay, Wellington International and Wellington Regional Medical Center. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. To learn more, contact Community Services Director Jenifer Brito at (561) 753-2476 or jbrito@wellingtonfl.gov. This historic event celebrates the deci-
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 15
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
waymen Art Exhibit closes out the month, running on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. February is for the foodies, when the Wellington Classic Brewfest presents a tantalizing array of beers and hard ciders on Feb. 7 and the 12th annual Bacon & Bourbon Fest graces tastebuds Feb. 13-14. For the seniors in the community, the village is holding a Valentine’s Day party on Feb. 14. The Equestrian Aid 5K Run/Walk will be held Feb. 16, and the annual A Day for Autism event returns Feb. 22. Wellington celebrates Black History Month with the fourth annual Black History Leaders Forum on Feb. 25, highlighting influential Black leaders from Wellington and beyond. Also, the AfriKin Art Show will tell stories of Black heritage, history and community through contemporary art, Feb. 25-28. The month closes out with the Black History Leaders Conference on Feb. 26 and the BlackLuxe Picnic and Music Festival on Feb. 28, celebrating Black culture with food, drink and music. March opens with a bang at the Let’s Move Kick Off Party on March 2. As the winner of the 2025 challenge, Wellington will host this inaugural party that marks a month-long celebration, encouraging the community to exercise for at least 30 minutes per day. Other highlights include the Wellington Irish Festival on March 7 and the Senior St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 17. Wellington welcomes Women’s History Month with a Tea Talk on March 13, recognizing the contributions of women in the community and across the nation. A special observance to mark the 30th anniversary of incorporation will be held on Saturday, March 28 with a very special State of the Village Presentation marking the anniversary of the first meeting of the inaugural Wellington Village Council on March 28, 1996. The meeting was attended by the five newly elected council members — Kathy Foster, Dr. Carmine Priore, Tom Wenham, Paul Adams and Michael McDonough — who took office following the first village elections on March 12 and March 26, 1996. Foster was named the first mayor of Wellington at the inaugural meeting. Spring arrives in April, beginning with the Annual Egg Hunt on April 4, and families are in for an adventure with more than 45,000 eggs to find at this cherished community event. Older adults are invited back to their teen years with the Senior Prom on April 7. The Galbani Festa Italiana returns
16 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
April 17-19, while the second annual Taste of Wellington beckons the community to a delectable evening on April 24. The month draws to a close with recognition of Earth Day and Arbor Day on April 25 with the Great American Cleanup, the Wellington Gardening Club plant sale and more nature-inspired festivities. May is shaping up wonderfully for Wellington’s children with the Day of Youth on May 1 and Kids to Parks Day on May 16, both promising exciting games and more. A Hurricane Expo will be held May 2. Never forgetting local seniors, there is a Senior Cinco De Mayo Event on May 5. A Memorial Day Weekend Music Celebration will offer families delicious food and an array of spectacular tribute bands May 21-24. Finally, the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony will be held Monday, May 25. Summer is sizzling in June as the first installment of the Food Trucks and Concert Series takes place on June 4, continuing on select Thursdays all summer long. Each event combines fantastic food offerings with lively music until the end of August. Things heat up with the Luau Party for seniors on June 12. Finally, the Juneteenth Redteenth Freedom Day Cultural Festival, on June 19, commemorates the end of slavery and raises awareness about sickle cell disease with inspiring speakers, performances, a fashion show and more. July is Parks and Recreation Month, and it begins with Wellington’s dazzling Fourth of July celebration, enchanting families with a fireworks extravaganza, music, a petting zoo, games and much more. Seniors will enjoy the Red White and You event on July 3. Take an opportunity to give back to the community on July 27 with the Back-toSchool Backpack Distribution event. Marvelous food and music continue through August as the Food Trucks and Concert Series comes to a close, while school is poised to start back up. The Backto-School Party in the Park on Aug. 7 offers children a night of entertainment and games to usher in the new school year. Older adults can look forward to the National Senior Citizen’s Day event on Aug. 21. September sees the seasonal opening night of the Lakeside Market and Food Trucks on Sept. 3, which will offer a variety of vendors every Thursday, through the month of December and into 2027. The community will hold a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Sept. 11 to recognize those
who were lost. Wellington honors Hispanic Heritage Month with a Havana Nights event for seniors on Sept. 8, a Hispanic Leaders Forum on Sept. 16 and a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Sept. 18. October is brimming with community events, with the Senior Health Fair on Oct. 1, Public Safety Night on Oct. 2 and Florida Government Week Oct. 19-25. Autumn is in the air on Oct. 17 with the annual Fall Festival, promising a scary good time with seasonal activities, great eats and more. November takes center stage with the annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater on Nov. 7, immersing patrons in a mystifying world. The Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony on Nov. 11 will recognize local veterans. If you’re into running, the Wellington 10-Miler returns Nov. 8, and the Rotary Ruck March is set for Nov. 15. Seniors Friendsgiving, Nov. 12, and the Holiday Food Drive, Nov. 18, afford space for the community to come together and connect, headed into the holiday season. Holiday events only ramp in December with the annual Holiday Culture Event and Tree Lighting set for Dec. 3, calling adults and children alike to celebrate holidays across cultures with engaging performances, flavorful food and themed activities. The revelry continues with a Menorah Lighting on Dec. 4 and the Senior Holiday Party on Dec. 8. Get festive with the community at the annual Holiday Boat Parade on Dec. 12, Wellington Holiday Parade on Dec. 13 and the Jingle Bell Run 5K on Dec. 20. With the close of 2026, the Village of Wellington’s 30th anniversary year draws to a close — but the wide array of community events will continue again in 2027. “The strength of any community rests not only in its assets but in its relationships,” Barnes said. “We must keep cultivating a culture of civic engagement by encouraging residents to participate, volunteer and take ownership of their village. The collaborative spirit that carried Wellington through its first 30 years will be even more critical in the next 30.” If the last 30 years can serve as any indicator, Wellington will continue the feat of growing and changing, while still managing to maintain its hometown atmosphere. For additional information about the Friday, Jan. 2 anniversary celebration, visit wellingtonfl.gov/celebrate30. Learn more about all other events at wellingtonfl.gov/ events.
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30TH ANNIVERSARY ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES • Bounce Houses • Carnival Rides • Ferris Wheel • Fireworks • Food Vendors • Games • Ice Skating Rink • Lakeside Market Vendors LIVE MUSIC • 56 Ace • Never Stop Believin • Turnstiles
Mayor Michael J. Napoleone
Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind
Councilman John T. McGovern
Councilwoman Maria S. Antuña
Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri
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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
20 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
For 30 Years, Wellington Has Kept Its Focus On Equestrian, Family-Friendly Identities BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
came together to create whatever they decided the young community needed — a “welcome wagon,” a Rotary club, a women’s club, sports leagues, a chamber of commerce and school volunteer groups. “Everybody was involved in everything because you had to be to keep things going,” recalled Darell Bowen, who moved to Wellington in 1984 and served as mayor from 2008 to 2012. Like Bowen and his wife, Sherry, thousands of people saw Wellington as a great place to raise a family. Between 1980 and 1990, the population increased nearly fivefold, reaching 20,670 by the end of that decade. “It was the schools that drove all the young families to Wellington,” said Sue Bierer, who taught at Wellington Elementary School for 26 years and now serves as president of the Wellington Historical Society. “Year after year, we were recognized for having the most volunteer hours. We had so many parents who were involved.” While the community’s north side filled with families, the larger open space to the south, and the condos and homes within Palm Beach Polo & Country Club, filled with seasonal residents with a passion for
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Ylvisaker, the polo-playing chairman of developer Gould Inc., whose vision forever fused the equestrian lifestyle with Wellington. Paired with the founders’ visions are the imprints of Wellington’s residents, whose unwavering sense of community helped shape it at almost every junction. It was the residents’ will via their votes to convert Wellington into a municipality 30 years ago that is cause for the 30th anniversary celebration today. Current Mayor Michael Napoleone said that while the community is 30 years older, people choose Wellington today for the same attributes they found 30 years ago — good schools, abundant parks and recreation, and safety. Wellington’s pioneers reminisce about its earliest days, and how they helped to shape its future. In the late 1970s, the first homes went up, and by 1980, there were about 4,600 residents. Trees and open land were plentiful. Traffic was non-existent. Everyone belonged to the country club because membership came with the purchase of a homesite. Residents in the tiny community with big promise were civically active. They
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
Happy birthday to Wellington! It was 30 years ago that Palm Beach County’s 38th municipality came into being. On the day it was born, it already had 18,000 acres, 28,808 residents, several neighborhood shopping centers, and identities as both the “winter equestrian capital of the world” and one of the best places for families to live. Three decades later, the population has more than doubled to 61,600-plus people — and both its equestrian and familyfriendly legacies remain at the forefront of its identity. “Very rarely do you have the chance to put roots in a community — in my case, 44 years — and see it develop,” said Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor. “I think it’s the greatest blessing in the world. I can’t think of a better place to have lived my life than in Wellington.” Wellington’s design was an amalgamation of the vision of its founders — from C. Oliver Wellington, his son Roger Wellington and A.W. “Bink” Glisson, who saw the potential in land that could be drained and marketed, to the earliest developers who envisioned a low-density “country club” community, and certainly including Bill
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 21
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Village officials break ground on improvements to Wellington's original municipal offices on Greenbriar Blvd. in the years immediately following incorporation.
horses. When Ylvisaker built a polo stadium within the country club, it forever changed the trajectory of the young community. Divided by nothing but the three-rail fence on the border of the club along South Shore Blvd., the two parts of the community grew side-by-side — but sometimes worlds apart. Ylvisaker gave equestrian enthusiasts a place to compete during the winter months and gave Palm Beachers a reason to cross into the mainland. Parties and polo matches were attended by old money and A-listers, many of whom opted to purchase a place in Wellington as well. In an interview two decades later, Ylvisaker, then 79, reflected on those early days. “It was all a marketing illusion because there was nothing out here,” he said. Terry Brisson, who had worked for Gould, said the two communities grew side by side, but had little to do with each other in those early days. Still, everybody was invited to the field-side polo tailgates. And in 1985, when Prince Charles came to play, accompanied by his young wife, Diana, it was an event like no other. The grand polo stadium was filled. And little kindergartners from Wellington Elementary School presented Diana with flowers. For a place so many embraced as the
22 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
perfect hometown, Wellington’s history is marked by numerous debates about its development and the role of its government. Wellington experienced early growing pains in the mid-1980s as its makeshift sports fields proved inadequate for the growing community filled with young families. In 1986, Corepoint, Wellington’s then-developer, donated 17 acres on South Shore Blvd. to Wellington’s limitedpurpose government, the Acme Improvement District. It became home to Wellington’s first community park with baseball fields, basketball courts and the Boys & Girls Club. The desire for recreation and the lack of facilities would contribute to the push for Wellington’s incorporation. When the roller hockey craze hit, local kids played in an Acme parking lot modified with wood to round the corners. After Palm Beach County passed over placing a large regional park in the western communities, Acme obtained a large tract that had once been part of its wastewater utility on Pierson Road. The roller hockey rink was the first piece added to Village Park, the 114-acre park that has since become the central hub of Wellington’s sports and recreation programs. The park’s groundbreaking in October 1996 came just 11 months after the
vote to incorporate. It was the first of many new Wellington facilities to come. Over the last decade, Wellington has continued to invest in facilities and programming that underscore its moniker as a “Great Hometown,” Napoleone said. Traditional recreation remains a priority, but it shares space with a focus on leisure — a full complement of programs at the expanded Wellington Amphitheater and Lakefront Promenade. In recognizing a population that is trending older, Wellington launched the Freebee senior transportation service that provides free rides around Wellington to senior citizens. Longtime residents decided about 10 years ago that it was time that Wellington added another institution — a group to preserve its unique past and share it with future generations. Like in its early years, a group of residents got together, and the Wellington Historical Society was founded in 2018. Since then, the organization has built an archive of documents representing Wellington’s history. It also has compiled oral histories from many of Wellington’s early pioneers and leaders. And through an educational program taught in Wellington’s elementary schools, it shares Wellington’s history with the next generation.
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INCORPORATION Six-Year Incorporation Effort Led To The Creation Of The ‘Village Of Wellington’ On December 31, 1995
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
Wellington officially became a municipality on Dec. 31, 1995, through a vote of its citizens that November. The inaugural Wellington Village Council was seated on March 28, 1996, after an election that included 27 candidates. Those events were the culmination of six long years of fighting over the community’s future. The goals of residents both for and against creating the “Village of Wellington” were perhaps identical: protecting the community they had come to cherish. Their difference was in deciding how best to do so. Wellington, the community, was about 15 years old before an event tipped longsimmering discussions into action. At that time, Wellington was run by a special-
26 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
purpose government known as the Acme Improvement District. It had authority to build roads and drainage structures, install street lighting and carry out mosquito control. Later, its powers were expanded to develop parks and run recreation programs. It did not have the authority to plan or rezone property. And its ability to raise money was limited as well. For any greater needs, the community relied solely on Palm Beach County. In 1988, community leaders got a wakeup call. No one representing Wellington had been invited to Palm Beach County’s brainstorming session known as “Directions.” That was a snub that sparked a movement. If the community with a population,
then, of about 22,000 residents could be so easily overlooked, who would speak for them in the future? Could county leaders be relied upon to protect Wellington’s interests? “There was very little attention given to the midlands area in ‘Directions,’” said Ed Lowder, then chief administrator of the Acme Improvement District. The following year, the Palm Beach County Commission made another decision that rocked Wellington. It committed to spending most available money in coastal areas regardless of where the population was moving. “I found out we had no one in the county government looking out for us,” Lowder said at the time. “We would be the 10th
The inaugural Wellington Village Council was seated on March 28, 1996, and included (L-R) Michael McDonough, Tom Wenham, Kathy Foster, Dr. Carmine Priore and Paul Adams.
Act, county leaders were floating the idea of lower levels of service for the county’s mid-section. That would have meant waiting longer for police or fire-rescue to arrive, traveling east for parks and recreation, and long bus rides for students to attend school. In 1988, Wellington had four public schools: Wellington Elementary School, which had opened in 1981, Wellington Landings Middle School, which opened in 1987, and Wellington High School and New Horizons Elementary School, which both opened in 1988. The fast-growing community saw crowded classrooms as soon as the schools opened. Wellington’s 1972 plan was lauded at the time of its approval. Overall, it had low density of two units per acre, a den-
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
ing areas remained as vast tracts of farmland. Development pressure was knocking. There were other issues as well. By the late 1980s, Palm Beach County — one of the fastest-growing counties in the state — was struggling to comply with a 1985 state law called the Growth Management Act, which required governments to have services in place before allowing for greater development. Palm Beach County was expected to use numerous financing elements to fill a void, years in the making. The first to land was a planned utility tax on everyone living in unincorporated areas. To Wellington residents, it echoed taxation without representation. Then there was the issue of services. To comply with the Growth Management
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
largest city, and we can’t get anyone to listen to us.” At the heart of the issue was growth — both within Wellington and surrounding it — and a move underway at the time to restrict westward growth and encourage coastal redevelopment. But the road to establishing Palm Beach County’s 38th municipality would be formidable. No community with a population the size of Wellington had been incorporated in more than three decades. The community’s basic design had been established in 1972 when Palm Beach County approved Wellington’s first development plans. Today, much of the north side of Wellington matches those original plans. But in the late 1980s, the surround-
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 27
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Ed Lowder was the administrator of the Acme Improvement District in the run-up to incorporation.
(Left) The sample ballot from the Nov. 7, 1995, vote that created the village. (Right) An election placard by Wellington Incorporation Study and Education (WISE) supporting the incorporation vote.
sity derived with the aid of large lakes and golf courses that counted toward open green space. Single-family homes would be “buffered” from commercial developments with multi-family tracts. There were small parks within many neighborhoods and numerous church sites. The original plan contained no school sites, though, and the “country club” oriented design had not included a park space big enough for sport fields. “If you volunteered to be a coach back then, you also volunteered to cut the grass and paint the fields,” said former Mayor Darell Bowen, who coached youth baseball in the mid-1980s. “We played on the site where Wellington High School is now. The fields were pretty rough. We were just doing it on volunteers and shoestring budgets to meet the needs of many of our youth that maybe were not as well off as some people think.” The drive for incorporation also was spurred forward with the discovery of how much tax money Wellington generated for Palm Beach County. A study done around 1990 convinced many community leaders that becoming a municipality was the only solution. “We were paying $8 million [a year] to Palm Beach County, and they were spend-
28 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
ing less than $700,000 — because they wanted to spend it to the east,” said Kathy Foster, an incorporation supporter who later became Wellington’s first mayor. A number of community groups were formed to support the incorporation effort, such as WISE (Wellington Incorporation Study and Education) led by Mark Miles and POWER (People of Wellington for Educated Residents) led by Linda Bolton. Both Miles and Bolton later served on the Wellington Village Council. Another key voice for incorporation was Town-Crier founder Bob Markey Sr., who wrote a series of opinion columns supporting the effort. Regardless, the issue was contentious. As much as some residents wanted home rule and the ability to spend their tax money in their own community, others had moved to Wellington to escape government interference and wanted to be left alone. Wealthier residents who would pay more as taxes shifted to a system based on property values feared seeing their taxes explode. Acme’s assessments were based not on property values, but lot size. It would take the next five years, including a failed straw poll, hundreds of hours of community meetings and two votes of the community’s citizens before
Ken Adams, who served on both the Acme board and the Palm Beach County Commission, was a key supporter of incorporation and had a large part in writing the new village’s charter.
Wellington became the county’s 38th municipality. The whole concept almost didn’t make it through the Florida Legislature. It never made it to the floor during the 1995 regular session, but it got added to the agenda of an unexpected special session. House Bill 1439, granting a charter to the “Village of Wellington,” passed in Tallahassee on May 11, 1995. Several Acme supervisors supported the legislation, as did Ken Adams, whose political career took him from the Acme board to the Palm Beach County Commission, and State Rep. Rick Minton, who sponsored the bill. On Nov. 7, 1995, a vote by 8,272 electors decided the issue, accepting the charter with 50.9 percent in favor and 49.1 percent opposed. Only 138 votes divided the two sides. Today, Wellington has one of the most restrictive and unique comprehensive plans, as a result of the community’s efforts to protect its character, prevent runaway taxes and placate skeptical residents. A hallmark is its Equestrian Overlay Zoning District, with layers of additional rules designed to protect Wellington’s equestrian area. The horses still come each season. And the families still seek out Wellington’s special sense of community.
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We congratulate all 61,836 residents of Wellington on reaching this remarkable 30th anniversary milestone. Over the past three decades, our government has demonstrated unwavering commitment, integrity and leadership in service to its people. This anniversary stands as a testament to years of progress, resilience and dedication to Wellington’s growth and prosperity. We are proud to have been part of these exciting 30 years and look forward to the next 30. Wellington The Magazine’s team is very proud to have partnered in producing the Village of Wellington’s 30-year celebration souvenir publication and sharing decades of Wellington moments with readers. May this celebration inspire continued excellence, unity and innovation in the years ahead. Here’s to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and building a brighter future for generations to come. ~ Joshua Manning, Dawn Rivera and Barry Manning WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Captured In Pictures: The Story Of Wellington
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELPED SUPPLY THE PHOTOGRAPHY USED ON THE PICTORIAL PAGES, INCLUDING THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, THE WELLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THE ARCHIVES OF THE TOWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER AND WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE, THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, THE MUSEUM OF POLO AND HALL OF FAME, AND OTHERS.
The story of the community called Wellington started with the fortuitus meeting of C. Oliver Wellington, a wealthy accountant, and selfdescribed “Florida Cracker” A.W. “Bink” Glisson. Glisson, a real estate agent and property manager, among many other interests, helped Wellington buy an estate in Broward County’s Hillsboro Beach. The two became friends, and in 1951, Wellington told Glisson that he was interested in investing in Florida land — if the right opportunity became available. Glisson took the idea and ran with it, assembling approximately 18,000 acres of property in Palm Beach County from a number of different landowners. Wellington bought the land and hired Glisson to manage it. In 1953, the Acme Drainage District was created by the Florida Legislature to make the land suitable for agriculture. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, a collection of tenant farmers grew a wide range of agricultural products on Wellington’s land, which became known as the Flying COW Ranch, with “COW” being Wellington’s initials. Most famously, it was said to be home to the “largest strawberry patch in the world.” C. Oliver Wellington passed away in 1959, and his son Roger Wellington took over control of the family’s holdings. Estate taxes and increasing costs to manage the land led to a decision to market part of it for development. In January 1971, the Investment Corporation of Florida, known as ICOF, proposed the development of much of the Wellington land, with the Acme Drainage District — later renamed the Acme Improvement District — doing the drainage work and roads for the new development. Guerry Stribling was hired as general manager of the Wellington project. In March 1972, the huge Wellington PUD (Planned Unit Development) was approved unanimously by the Palm Beach County Commission. It was the largest single development ever approved in Palm Beach County. Alcoa Florida signed on as one of Wellington’s original developers. A groundbreaking was held for the first phase of the project on March 16, 1973. What happened next? On pages throughout the rest of this magazine, you’ll learn the story of Wellington through pictures of the people, events and institutions that created the community we know today.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 31
Roger Wellington assumed control of the land in 1959.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Shown here at a 1970s ceremony honoring the late C. Oliver Wellington are (L-R) Investment Corporation of Florida employee Jenny Graf, ICOF’s Wellington Project Manager Guerry Stribling, Realtor Ralph McCormick, ICOF President James E. Nall, Bink Glisson, Roger Wellington, Acme Administrator Ed Lowder and ICOF employee Joan Sawyer (later Joan Glisson).
32 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
THE WELLINGTON FAMILY The namesake of Wellington is Charles Oliver Wellington. Born in Massachusetts and educated at Harvard University, C. Oliver Wellington was senior partner at the accounting firm Scovell, Wellington & Company. In the late 1940s, he bought property in the Hillsboro Mile near Pompano Beach. That’s when he became acquainted with real estate agent A.W. “Bink” Glisson. In 1951, he instructed Glisson to find more investment properties for him, eventually buying a huge tract of land in central Palm Beach County, which became known as the Flying C.O.W. Ranch, after Wellington’s initials. C. Oliver Wellington visited the property, then used for agriculture, a number of times before his death in 1959. His son, Roger Wellington, then took over control of the family’s properties. It was Roger Wellington’s decision to sell 7,200 acres of land for development in 1972.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
C. Oliver Wellington, namesake of the community.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 33
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THE LEGENDARY A.W. “BINK” GLISSON Perhaps no one person is more responsible for the development of Wellington as Arthur William “Bink” Glisson, a selfproclaimed “Florida Cracker,” pilot, boat captain, World War II veteran, real estate expert and land agent who oversaw the decades-long process that turned a huge parcel of land from a swamp to thriving agricultural land to the community now known as Wellington. A native of Welaka, Florida, he was given the nickname “Bink” by his father. In 1951, he was directed by C. Oliver Wellington to find investment land, and Glisson assembled a huge tract from several property owners. After Wellington bought the land, he hired Glisson to manage it, which he did as general manager of the Acme Improvement District. Glisson, who died in 2000, remained on Acme’s board until 1993. He was also an avid collector and artist. Glisson’s paintings and huge collection of early Florida memorabilia can be found at a museum at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Bink Glisson, shown here as he neared retirement in the 1990s.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
(Inset) Bink Glisson was an avid collector of Old Florida memorabilia, such as this Sheriff Patrol vehicle.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 35
THE WORLD’S LARGEST STRAWBERRY PATCH The Acme Drainage District, which later became the Acme Improvement District, was created in 1953, shortly after the Wellington family bought the land. For the first 20 years, the land now called Wellington was mostly leased as farmland, full of strawberry fields, citrus groves, flowers like gladiola, Spanish moss and wild orchids. The land is said to have been home to “the world’s largest strawberry patch” of 2,000 acres. It was known as the Flying COW Ranch, with “COW” standing for landowner C. Oliver Wellington’s initials.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Wellington’s pre-incorporation government was the Acme Improvement District. At first, its mission was overseeing drainage and roads for agriculture.
36 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The land that is now Wellington is said to have been home to “the world’s largest strawberry patch.”
THE ACME IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT
Once the decision was made to develop part of the Wellington family’s land, the Acme Drainage District was given more powers by the state, such as providing recreation services, and renamed the Acme Improvement District. However, it initially remained under the control of the landowners and developers. Residents were given some say on the board in 1982, when Wellington resident Rev. John Mangrum of St. David’s-in-thePines Episcopal Church, joined the board. Residents gained more control in 1990, when supervisors started being elected by popular vote. Kathy Foster, later Wellington’s first mayor, was the first directly elected resident to sit on the Acme board.
Rev. John Mangrum speaks at the dedication of a new Acme utility building in 1988.
Supervisor Kathy Foster, the first resident directly elected to the Acme board, with Bink Glisson and Guerry Stribling.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Acme Supervisor Ralph McCormack, a Realtor, hands the gavel to Rev. John Mangrum, the first resident to sit on Acme's board.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 37
WELLINGTON UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Wellington’s development was approved by the Palm Beach County Commission in March 1972, and developers wasted little time getting the project underway. On June 25, 1972, the developers held a “Great Father’s Day Land Rush,” which helped kick off sales. Work to create the 150-acre Lake Wellington began in November 1972. On March 16, 1973, ground was broken for the first phase. The first residential area, South Shore, was located adjacent to Lake Wellington. Almost 1,000 lots were available on May 18, 1974. Throughout the mid-1970s, the young community experienced slow and steady growth.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
An aerial view of Wellington from the 1970s shows the community’s oldest neighborhoods under construction. In the center is Forest Hill Blvd. Lake Wellington is complete, and development is well underway in the South Shore area, as well as Eastwood. Big Blue Trace is on the map, but development had not yet begun in that area.
38 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
To get people to move to the community, the developers worked to change the image that Wellington was “far away.”
EARLY COMMUNITY EVENTS
Wellington’s initial developers were Alcoa and ICOF. However, they only oversaw the very beginning of Wellington’s story. In 1977, Gould Florida bought out the early investors, and marketed Wellington as a more upscale community, creating neighborhoods such as Palm Beach Polo & Country Club and the Aero Club. In 1985, developer Alberto Vadia Sr. bought Gould’s undeveloped land and created Corepoint, Wellington’s final master developer. Gould and Corepoint put a focus on special events to develop Wellington as a family-friendly community. Among these events were visits from celebrities and community festivals, such as Huck Finn Day.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, tennis star Billie Jean King gave workshops and promoted team tennis with the Wellington Aces at the Wellington Club West, now the Wanderers Club.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Developer Corepoint marketed the young community using the Wellington hot air balloon.
Huck Finn Day was an annual event complete with a frogjumping contest, fishing tournament, fence painting, greased pole climbing and watermelon seed spitting. It attracted people from all over Palm Beach County.
40 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
In April 1988, Corepoint brought in Buffalo Bob Smith from the Howdy Doody TV show. He brought with him the famous marionette, along with Clarabell the Clown.
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WELLINGTON EQUESTRIAN INDUSTRY
The old Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club, now the site of Wellington International, as it was in the 1990s.
PHOTO BY DAVID LOMINSKA
Equestrian Industry Puts Wellington On The International Map BY ANGIE FRANCALANCIA
nancial depth to incorporate.” Protecting the equestrian industry has been a priority of Wellington’s government ever since. Thirty years after incorporation, and nearly 50 years after Wellington’s first polo stadium was erected, Wellington still celebrates its equestrians. But the hub of horse sport will look different in the future. The Village of Wellington has approved a plan designed to emphasize the lifestyle — imagine resort living with equestrian sport nearby. Developers of that plan, who got approval in exchange for guaranteed improvements to the Wellington International showgrounds, believe it will preserve the industry for generations to come.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
In fact, the equestrian industry had an interesting role in Wellington’s incorporation 30 years ago. The industry was identified as a key source of revenue used to prove that Wellington could provide services for its constituents. Under the state’s growth management laws at the time, Wellington, with little commercial operations, would not have been a viable municipality without the equestrian industry. “We could never have incorporated if the equestrian industry would not have been here,” explained Kathy Foster, Wellington’s first mayor, and a key player in the village’s incorporation effort 30 years ago. “That’s what proved we had the fi-
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
It was the unique equestrian lifestyle that put Wellington on the map as something more than a bedroom community. From the opening of the original Palm Beach Polo Stadium in 1979, to the creation of the Winter Equestrian Festival in the 1980s, and later the Global Dressage Festival, horses became the lifeblood of Wellington. The equestrian lifestyle has existed in Palm Beach County since the 1920s, when polo was played along the Intracoastal Waterway in the Town of Gulf Stream, and guests in high fashion sojourned from Palm Beach via limo or yacht. But only in Wellington did it ever attain the status of an industry.
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The Wellington International showgrounds (below) is in the process of a major expansion.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Show jumper McLain Ward rides Kasper Van Het Hellehof. PHOTO BY ESP
“[Wellington] is a really unique place,” said Doug McMahon, CEO and managing partner of Wellington Lifestyle Partners. “There’s no other place that’s as well located. It’s below the frost line with vibrant year-round communities, and then you have the whole equestrian ecosystem, and it’s really quite special. I think the economic impact from the sport has a benefit to all of Wellington.” Michael Stone, president of Wellington International, agreed. “I believe that the equestrian community is vital to the village,” he said. “Not only does it give it a unique identity but also drives the local economy. We have great restaurants, stores and, of course, the parks and recreation — all helped by the tax dollars that are generated by the equestrian community.” In the years leading up to and immediately following the 1995 vote that made Wellington a municipality, residents worked tirelessly to create a governing plan that would safeguard Wellington’s unique character, especially its equestrian area. This led to the creation of the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District (EOZD), with rules designed to protect the equestrian character in parts of Wellington. Wellington was the first government in Florida to include such a district in its land use plans. The zoning district created a set of rules intended to limit development and protect the industry within a 9,000-acre area primarily south of Pierson Road, but also
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including the communities of Saddle Trail and Little Ranches, and the equestrian areas within Palm Beach Polo and Country Club. It contains such provisions as limiting development uses to those that support equestrian activities, protecting bridle trails, prohibiting high-density residential or commercial projects, and capping roads in the EOZD at two lanes. The rallying cry among horse enthusiasts was “horses and cars don’t mix.” That was far from a concern to the first equestrians who ventured to Wellington in the late 1970s. Palm Beach Polo, created by early developer Gould Inc., under the leadership of its polo-playing board chair William “Bill” Ylvisaker, formed a divider between the suburbs to its north and vast open tracts to its south. The first polo stadium was erected in 1979 at the northeast corner of South Shore Blvd. and Pierson Road. Ylvisaker wrapped the sport in resort luxury, invited celebrities and royalty, and created a new winter hub for the “sport of kings.” Within a few years, polo would share the equestrian spotlight with hunter riding and show jumper competitions at the storied Winter Equestrian Festival, created by Gene Mische, who was invited to expand his horse shows from Florida’s west coast to Wellington by Ylvisaker. In time, much of Wellington’s south end would become dotted with private equestrian farms. When the big, dual-axle pickups rolled in with horse trailers in tow, lo-
cals knew that the equestrian season had begun. By the mid-1980s, county leaders were already calling it an “industry.” It generated $36 million in 1988 through the sale of horses, feed, tack and other supplies, according to statistics compiled by the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service. By 1989, the 125-acre equestrian center that was home to the Winter Equestrian Festival was hosting 1,500 horses brought to Wellington for competitions. This caused a real estate buying frenzy at properties surrounding the area. By the early 1990s, Palm Beach County was planning a study to quantify the value of the equestrian industry, an effort supporters hoped would give them a voice in government and protection of areas dedicated to all things equestrian. As Wellington pushed toward incorporation, equestrians advocated for the special protections of the EOZD, which they thought would insulate their industry and winter home. They feared that those wideopen spaces, so attractive for horse farms, also would be enticing to home builders. Since incorporation, perhaps nothing in Wellington has been as contentious as the balance between the equestrian lifestyle and the equestrian industry, the balance between how much land to sell for homes and how much to save for equestrian sport, and the acknowledgement that world-class venues require a constant investment.
POLO VISIONARY BILL YLVISAKER
Wellington’s original developers were the Investment Corporation of Florida (ICOF) and Alcoa. In 1976, ICOF bought out Alcoa, and in April 1978, Gould Florida, a subsidiary of the Chicago-based Gould Inc., acquired all of ICOF’s interest in the development. With Gould came its chairman, William “Bill” Ylvisaker. Known as a captain of industry, Ylvisaker was also a hard-driving polo player. Reaching a 7-goal rating, he was one of the best amateur players of all time. Ylvisaker added the upscale Palm Beach Polo neighborhood to Wellington, forever altering the community’s image. By building the original Palm Beach Polo Stadium, he put Wellington on the map with celebrities. Ylvisaker also provided the land for Stadium Jumping’s Gene Mische to start the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington.
(Above inset) The original Palm Beach Polo Stadium, where Equestrian Village is today, put Wellington on the map with celebrities from around the world. (Below inset) Bill Ylvisaker at his Palm Beach Polo home in 2005.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
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Crowds fill the showgrounds for Saturday Night Lights.
Dressage rider Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén aboard Don Auriello.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PHOTO BY SUSAN J. STICKLE
Wellington Lifestyle Partners believes it has the formula. The collaboration pairs equestrian property owner Mark Bellissimo and his other longtime partners dedicated to equestrian sport with Windemere-based Nexus Luxury Collection known for creating luxury resort developments. They’ve amassed more than 600 acres, including the site of the original polo stadium and the Cypress golf course within Palm Beach Polo. The hub of polo had moved from that corner many years earlier, when in the early 2000s, John Goodman and other longtime patrons of the game built a club and fields on 120th Avenue South called the International Polo Club Palm Beach. It has since been purchased by the United States Polo Association and is now known as the National Polo Center-Wellington. Plans approved just last year for a greatly expanded showgrounds came with a tradeoff — the first removal of land from Wellington’s protected equestrian area. WLP will build a luxury resort on the site of Wellington’s first polo stadium, where Wellington’s equestrian image was born. With golf, dining, resort-style pools, fitness facilities and a variety of residential options, it emphasizes the lifestyle in a way not seen perhaps since Ylvisaker’s days. WLP’s land also includes an 18-acre site at the nexus of South Shore and Greenview Shores boulevards. That site will become a “destination” mixed-use development
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with an 80-room hotel, residences, shops, restaurants and office space. “The equestrian industry is undergoing changes that we all hope is change for the better,” Mayor Michael Napoleone said. “Our residents should not only look forward to the new equestrian facilities, but long-overdue improvements to the existing showgrounds.” The full plans will focus the hub of equestrian competitions on the 190 acres that WLP owns west of South Shore Blvd. between Pierson and Lake Worth roads, adding acreage to the existing showgrounds, consolidating show jumping, hunter riding and dressage in the same area. A new grand grass derby field already is creating a buzz. With better amenities, McMahon explained, there is room for growth in the four areas that support the showgrounds: entry fees, barn rentals, hospitality and sponsorships. “I think the best days are ahead of us on the showgrounds,” he said. “This is the vision for sport and facilities that a lot of people have had in Wellington for years, which is now coming together. Room for expansion and higher quality. Now there is headroom for horse sport business growth in all four areas.” Murray Kessler, the CEO of Wellington International, is very proud of the improvements underway there. He noted that the facility’s growth has been explosive.
“That’s why we are so excited with the new ownership of Wellington Lifestyle Partners that has given us the opportunity to almost double the size of the showgrounds, while at the same time allowing us to invest in the existing facility,” Kessler said. Stone has been in Wellington for 18 years and has seen a great deal of growth in the equestrian industry, particularly in the length of time equestrians stay. “The biggest change is the move from leasing homes during season to buying them,” he said. “We have also seen the season starting earlier and lasting longer. When I first came, the horses arrived early in December. They are now arriving at the end of October. We used to finish at the end of March. We now see people staying later and later, with our May shows being very successful.” Kessler added that the enhancements are focused on improving horse welfare, exhibitor performance and fan experience. “These all will add up to a superior experience that should delight our customers and keep Wellington on top,” Kessler said. “We can’t wait for everyone to see the massive improvements, and we also can’t wait for the grand opening of the expansion facilities in the next year or two. Wellington International is the premier horse sport destination in the world and intends to stay that way.”
WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FOUNDER GENE MISCHE WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL FOUNDER GENE MISCHE While polo arrived first, it was show jumping and hunter riding that cemented Wellington’s reputation as the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World.” That all happened due to the arrival in Wellington of Gene Mische. Through his company Stadium Jumping, Mische was already hosting horse shows on Florida’s gulf coast. He was invited to Wellington in the 1980s by Palm Beach Polo founder Bill Ylvisaker to stage shows at what was then called the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. The shows took off, and before long, the Winter Equestrian Festival was born. WEF is now the largest and longest-running horse show series in the world.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Gene Mische was honored at a special ceremony in February 2009 at the Winter Equestrian Festival. He passed away in 2010.
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THE WELLINGTON HOLIDAY PARADE
Now an iconic four-decade tradition, the first Wellington Holiday Parade was held in 1983, produced by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, now the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce. It was the brainchild of Dennis Witkowski, one of the chamber’s founding members, who led the parade for 35 years, until retiring in 2018. The parade’s route along Forest Hill Blvd. has remained virtually unchanged since the beginning.
Santa Claus arrives, riding with Sam Groom's legendary Wellington Clydesdales, at the end of the 1986 Wellington Holiday Parade.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
A float from New Horizons Elementary School from a parade in the early 2000s.
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Dennis Witkowski, who is credited with coming up with the idea for the parade, rides in the 2018 holiday parade, the year he retired as parade chair.
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DEC. 31, 1995: INCORPORATION BECOMES OFFICIAL After a six-year process with plenty of ups and downs, residents of Wellington narrowly supported the community’s incorporation at a vote held Nov. 7, 1995. This led to the creation of the Village of Wellington on Dec. 31, 1995. It would still be several months before the inaugural Wellington Village Council was seated, but an observance was held on that date. Staff members of the Acme Improvement District became the first staff members of the fledgling Village of Wellington.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Keith Stahley, second from right, along with other Acme Improvement District staffers, announce the creation of the new village on Dec. 31, 1995.
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Balloons fly over the flag of the newly incorporated Village of Wellington.
Congratulations
Village Of Wellington
3 30 Year Of On Your
th
Incorporation
CLUB LEADERS President Club Director Maria Fernanda Cruz Thomas B. Carreras President-Elect Shaun Patterson Past President Vice President Donald Gross President-Nominee Secretary Nikki Stinson Treasurer Jim O’Neil Club Director Maria Antuña Club Director Dwayne Brown
Club Director Club RI Foundation Chair Jess Coburn
Club Director Club Membership Chair Chris Warren Sergeant-at-Arms Andrew M Burr
Bulletin Editor Dennis Golub
Community Service Chair Maggie Zeller
Club Director Interact Club Sponsor Youth Services Chair George Kinoshita
Past President Walter Imperatore
Club Director Randy Pfeiffer Club Director Marc Strich
Assistant Governor Area 6 Walter Imperatore
“Service Above Self” PO Box 1243 Loxahatchee, FL 33470 Phone: (561) 723-8461 www.wellingtonrotary.org
THE INAUGURAL WELLINGTON VILLAGE COUNCIL
A total of 27 candidates competed in Wellington’s first municipal election, held Tuesday, March 12, 1996, with a runoff election two weeks later on Tuesday, March 26. The winners were Paul Adams, Kathy Foster, Michael McDonough, Dr. Carmine Priore and Tom Wenham. All except Adams were previously members of the Acme Improvement District Board of Supervisors. The inaugural Wellington Village Council met for the first time on Thursday, March 28, 1996, in the old theater at Wellington High School. A swearing-in ceremony was led by County Commissioner Ken Foster. Kathy Foster, the top vote-getter in the election, was chosen as the village’s first mayor. Priore was tapped as vice mayor.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
A cake celebrates the inaugural meeting of the Wellington Village Council. (L-R) Paul Adams, Tom Wenham, Kathy Foster, Michael McDonough and Dr. Carmine Priore.
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Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Foster leads the newly elected Wellington Village Council in the oath of office.
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30 Years Of Growth At Village Park, Wellington’s Recreation ‘Crown Jewel’
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
BY JOSHUA MANNING
Wellington’s Village Park on Pierson Road is the 114-acre “crown jewel” of the village’s award-winning parks and recreation system, hosting more than one million visitors each year. “Village Park is one of Wellington’s main hubs for recreation, athletics and community connection,” Village Manager Jim Barnes said. “With its expansive fields, facilities and amenities, the park is the heartbeat of youth sports; local, regional, state and national tournaments; as well as family gatherings. It draws residents of all ages, fosters healthy lifestyles and strengthens Wellington’s reputation as a family-oriented, active community.” But before Wellington’s incorporation, it was just a plot of land next to the Acme Improvement District’s water treatment plant. The first major project approved by the inaugural Wellington Village Council, the park was among the first tangible benefits of incorporation for Wellington recreation enthusiasts. Back in the mid-1990s, Wellington was a community with growing, volunteer-run sports programs, but not nearly enough
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fields and courts for the army of children who needed them. Acme, Wellington’s limited, pre-incorporation government, wanted to build more sports fields, but was hampered by limited funding and complicated negotiations with Palm Beach County and developers. At a meeting in May 1995, leaders of local recreation leagues tried to convince Acme supervisors to finance a large recreation complex on Pierson Road. However, that request came only a year after funding for a large parks and recreation proposal had been rejected by Acme voters. “We had to find one piece of land that could accommodate multiple sports, and everything the committee looked at kept coming back to the Village Park site,” recalled Kathy Foster, then an Acme supervisor and later Wellington’s first mayor. “There was nothing even close to it.” Wellington’s incorporation was approved in November 1995 and became official as the new year dawned. After a heavily contested election, the inaugural council was seated in March. Awaiting them was the park proposal. A recreational
complex including sports fields and a gymnasium was approved in May 1996. The total cost of the first phase was an estimated $6.2 million. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held at Village Park in October 1996. The first fields opened a year later in October 1997, followed three months later, in January 1998, by the new recreation center building. This completed the first phase of the facility, which the village has been adding to ever since. That first phase brought pavilions, concession stands, two roller hockey rinks, two softball/baseball fields, four football/ soccer fields and a 25,000-square-foot gymnasium. Today, Village Park remains Wellington’s main athletic facility. The original recreation center has been expanded twice, once in 2005 and again in 2013, and now includes 75,000 square feet of space, including three full-sized basketball courts and additional activity space. The park’s hockey rink is now covered, and there are 19 athletic fields, seven outdoor courts for basketball and volleyball,
The Wellington Sports Academy is one of two new projects opening shortly at Village Park.
Parks & Recreation Director Eric Juckett agreed. “People like our Parks & Recreation Department,” he said. “It is one of the hallmarks of what Wellington offers to the residents and is the embodiment of family and community.” Hagopian doesn’t think that the park would exist in anything near its current form without Welington’s incorporation 30 years ago. “Maybe you’d still have those first three fields, and maybe you have the hockey rink, but we wouldn’t have been able to handle the growth if we didn’t incorporate,” he said. “One of the benefits of a municipality is that we have more oversight over the area,” Juckett added. Throughout 2025, the southwestern tip of the park, near the 120th Avenue South entrance, has been a hub of construction, with two new, state-of-the-art facilities coming out of the ground on land that used to be a storage area for the Public Works Department. The Wellington Sports Academy is being
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
While the recreation center building is dominated by its three large gymnasiums, it also has office space for staff and an array of rooms for other programming, such as wrestling, cheerleading, taekwondo and more. Athletic Programs Manager Ryan Hagopian grew up in Wellington and recalled playing soccer at the site of the current park before the first phase was underway. “It was literally just one field that we piecemealed together,” he said. That first recreation center building was where his Project Graduation party was held when he graduated from Wellington High School. Hagopian believes that recreation facilities built since incorporation have fueled the community’s growth. “I’ve been here for almost 40 years now,” he said. “I saw the growth, and a lot of people moved to Wellington for schools and parks and rec. One of the driving forces for new families coming in was to have nice amenities… It helps foster that hometown feel and culture that Wellington’s really trying to incorporate.”
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
six concession stands, three playgrounds, 2.5 miles of lighted trails with exercise stations and four picnic pavilions. It’s Wellington’s largest public gathering space, hosting events such as the annual Fourth of July celebration, and it even has a stickball setup that is home to the Wycliffe Stiffs. Beyond that is the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary with its boardwalk over wetlands home to Florida native flora and fauna. It is a favorite spot of bird lovers from across South Florida. “My favorite part of Village Park isn’t any particular facility or amenity, but rather is the way the park brings the community together,” Barnes said. “Whether it’s families filling the sidelines on a Saturday morning, or neighbors gathering for special events, the park reflects the spirit of Wellington.” Two large new Village Park additions are coming online just in time for the village’s 30th anniversary — the brand-new Wellington Aquatics Complex to replace the aging facility at Wellington Town Center, and the massive, 132,000-square-foot Wellington Sports Academy.
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VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
(Left) The new Wellington Aquatic Center is just about ready for its opening day, planned for Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. (Center) An aerial image of Village Park, showing the Wellington Recreation Center and sports fields. (Right) An aerial view of the new aquatic center and sports academy facilities at the southwestern portion of the park.
developed through a public-private partnership between the Village of Wellington and a group known as Wellington Athletics, led by retired NFL player Jon Bostic, who grew up in the community and is a graduate of Palm Beach Central High School and the University of Florida. The academy, designed to mentor young athletes and help them get to the next level of their sport, will be among the largest facilities of its kind in the state. Bostic is thrilled to be building his facility at Village Park, right next door to the Grand Isles neighborhood where he grew up. “I still remember when all this wasn’t here, and it was just the front portion over there,” he said. “I played football, basketball and baseball here… Without this place, I wouldn’t have gone on to do what I was able to do.” Bostic describes the huge new building as a “multi-sports facility” offering an array of options for young athletes. “We want to be able to have as many sports as we can, just to have options for everyone,” Bostic said. He has put a “good group together to help develop these kids and give them the opportunities that they need,” with a specific focus on getting them into college athletic programs. While much of the space will be taken up by full-sized indoor basketball and volleyball courts, the Wellington Sports Academy building will also include a dining area with indoor and outdoor seating, weight rooms, fitness areas and locker rooms. There will also be classrooms, space for a medical tenant and an indoor baseball training area with batting cages.
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Barnes believes that Bostic’s project will be a great addition to Village Park. “Locating the facility at Village Park maximizes convenience for families with multiple athletes; strengthens Wellington’s capacity to host regional, state and national level competitions; and enhances the village’s role as a destination for high-quality sports and recreation,” he said. Right across the parking lot from the sports academy is the new aquatics facility. It is not only larger than the old pool site, but it has two completely separate pool areas. “Village residents will have a better facility to use for both recreational purposes and for competition purposes,” Village Engineer Jonathan Reinsvold said. “The recreation side of this pool is going to be far and above what we currently have, with the addition of the NinjaCross, the playground, the lounge pool area and the separate learn-to-swim area.” NinjaCross is a retractable aquatics obstacle course, and Wellington will have the only one in South Florida. Meanwhile, the modern competition pool with its diving well will allow Wellington to host regional and national swimming competitions. “Inside the facility itself, there’s going to be locker rooms, storage areas, administrative areas and more, and there’s also going to be a multi-purpose room we’ll be able to rent out for birthdays and events,” Reinsvold said. Barnes is excited about how the aquatics center fits in with everything else at the park. “Locating the new aquatic center at Vil-
lage Park creates a true one-stop destination for recreation and athletics,” Barnes said. “The park already serves as the center of Wellington’s sports programming, so colocating the aquatic facility ensures convenient access, shared amenities such as parking, and the ability to host multi-sport events and tournaments.” Barnes added that the new aquatic center will create opportunities for residents to enjoy everything from competitive swimming to family recreation in one connected space — a transformative park that began with the creation of the village itself 30 years ago. “Without incorporation, Village Park would likely look very different, if it existed at all,” Barnes said. “The vision and investment that the Village of Wellington has made in creating a world-class recreational hub may never have materialized under county governance and the limited resources that were available as part of the Acme Improvement District.” As the 30-year story of Village Park continues to be written, it is far from the only recreation facility to have benefited from Wellington’s incorporation. From baseball and softball facilities at Tiger Shark Cove and Olympia parks to the Wellington Dog Park and the new pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park to the currently expanding Wellington Tennis Center, incorporation set Wellington up to become a recreational mecca that dwarfs other communities its size. “Wellington’s decision to incorporate ensured that the community could prioritize recreation, youth programs and quality of life,” Barnes said. “Village Park stands as a testament to that foresight.”
VILLAGE PARK: WELLINGTON’S RECREATIONAL HOME
Wellington’s Village Park, located at 11700 Pierson Road, is the village’s largest recreational facility and the headquarters of its award-winning Parks & Recreation Department. The park was the first major project undertaken by the inaugural Wellington Village Council. The first phase of the park was approved in May 1996 with a groundbreaking held that October. The first fields opened a year later in October 1997, followed in January 1998 by the first recreation center building. The village has been adding to the park ever since.
Members of the inaugural Wellington Village Council break ground for the first phase of Village Park in October 1996.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The village has continued adding to the park over the past 30 years. Shown here, officials celebrate the first expansion of the recreation center in 2005. It was expanded again in 2013.
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WELLINGTON’S VILLAGE MANAGERS
When Wellington first incorporated, the final manager of the Acme Improvement District, Colin Baenziger, served as interim manager of the new village while a nationwide search was conducted for a permanent village manager. Charlie Lynn, a Kentucky native who had previously served as assistant city manager in Ocala, Florida, and most recently before his appointment, as city manager in Henderson, Kentucky, was chosen for the job. Lynn, who arrived in December 1996 as Wellington’s first permanent village manager, led the community through its formative years and the huge boom years of the mid-2000s. He retired in 2008 and was replaced by one of his top lieutenants, Paul Schofield, then Wellington’s director of community services. Sadly, Lynn passed away in 2011 at the age of 58. When Schofield retired in 2021, Deputy Village Manager Jim Barnes stepped into the role. Barnes has led the village’s day-to-day operations ever since.
Colin Baenziger 1996 (Interim)
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Charlie Lynn was Wellington’s first permanent village manager, leading the village through its early incorporation period.
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Charlie Lynn 1996-2008
Paul Schofield 2008-2021
Jim Barnes 2021-Present
WELLINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Children in the fledgling community of Wellington were first bused east to attend school. However, after years of petitions by residents, the School District of Palm Beach County opened Wellington Elementary School, the community’s first public school, in 1980. The founding principal was the iconic Buz Spooner, who served in the role until his retirement in 1999. When the school first opened, the permanent building at Big Blue Trace and Paddock Drive was not yet completed, so the first students were housed in 16 portables on site.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
This 1982 aerial photo shows Wellington Elementary School’s permanent campus under construction. At the bottom right are the portables that served as the campus when the school first opened in 1980.
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Students stand by a sign announcing the new Wellington Elementary School, the community’s first public school.
Founding Principal Buz Spooner at his desk. Spooner opened the school in 1980 and served until his retirement in 1999.
13837 Wellington Trace - Wellington, FL | Phone: (561) 753-9998 | Mon-Fri: 7am-8am | Sat: 8am-7pm | Sun: 9am-6pm
GRILLING
EQUESTRIAN
LIFESTYLE
CONGRATS ON 30 YEARS THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
WELLINGTON Facts & Figures
A Snapshot Of The Village Of Wellington Today The Village of Wellington was incorporated Dec. 31, 1995. It has a council-manager form of government. The mayor is elected by the voters, as are four council members. The council selects a vice mayor annually. Elections are held every other March. Learn more about the Village of Wellington at www.wellingtonfl.gov.
ELECTED OFFICIALS The current Wellington Village Council includes: Mayor Michael Napoleone — After serving as a councilman for eight years from 2016 to 2024, Napoleone was elected mayor in 2024. His current term ends in 2028. He is an attorney with the firm Day Pitney LLP.
Councilman John McGovern — McGovern moved to Wellington as child in 1986 and graduated from Wellington High School. He was appointed to the council in 2015 and is the longest serving member of the
VILLAGE MANAGER The current Village Manager is Jim Barnes. He has been with the village since 2003, when he joined the staff as assistant director of community services. He later served as parks and recreation director, deputy director of operations and director of operations before being appointed as village manager in January 2021. He is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the village. The village offices are located at 12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. The main phone number is (561) 791-4000.
POPULATION The population of the Village of Wellington is currently estimated at 61,836 people living in 21,604 households with a median household income of $110,294. There are 36,438 registered voters. The median age is 42.2 years. The median home value is $557,100.
GEOGRAPHY The Village of Wellington encompasses 45.8 square miles within Palm Beach
ROADS & UTILITIES There are 350 miles of paved road and 44 miles of unpaved roads maintained by the Village of Wellington. There are also 58 miles of multipurpose pathways and 69 miles of bridle paths. The Acme Improvement District, a dependent special district controlled by the village, provides drainage services in the community. There are 978 acres of lakes, 86 miles of canals and eight pump stations. The Wellington Utilities Department (561-791-4010) provides water and sewer service within the village. There are 20,827 water serviced accounts and 19,194 sewer service accounts. There are 24,689 solid waste collection accounts.
VILLAGE BUDGET For the 2026 Fiscal Year, the Village of Wellington has a total budget of $155.9 million. A total of $31,185,244 was raised from ad valorem taxes on property and represents a millage rate of $2.47 per $1,000 of assessed value. Wellington has an estimated taxable property value of $13.29 billion. The budget staffs a total of 324 full-time positions.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Councilwoman Maria Antuña — A resident of Wellington since the 1970s, she was elected to the council in 2024. Antuña worked for decades in the banking industry is currently the CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County.
Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri — An education activist with a long involvement in public schools, Silvestri was elected to the council in 2024. Alongside her husband, she is the co-owner of Silvestri and Associates Insurance.
County, Florida. The general boundary lines are Florida’s Turnpike to the east, Southern Blvd. to the north, and the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge to the south and west. Neighboring communities include Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves and Greenacres.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind — An education activist before joining the council, Siskind was appointed to the council in 2016 and won elections in 2018 and 2022. She is a Realtor with Keller Williams Wellington.
current council. An attorney, he is the managing partner at McGovern Gerardi Law, PA.
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OTHER REPRESENTATIVES The Village of Wellington is represented by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel (561-998-9045) of District 22 in Washington, D.C. Representatives in Tallahassee include State Sen. Lori Berman (561-292-6014) of District 26 and State Rep. Anne Gerwig (561-785-0630) of District 93, previously Wellington’s mayor and councilwoman. Palm Beach County officials include District 6 County Commissioner Sara Baxter (561-355-2206) and District 6 School Board Member Marcia Andrews (561-434-8139).
Wellington Elementary School, 13000 Paddock Drive, (561) 651-0600. The school opened in 1981. There are 999 students at the school. The principal is Dr. Maria Vaughan.
Wellington is served by 11 Palm Beach County School District schools, as well as several charter schools and private schools. Binks Forest Elementary School, 15101 Bent Creek Road, (561) 904-9800. The school opened in 1999. There are 1,171 students at the school. The principal is Michella Levy.
Wellington Landings Middle School, 1100 Aero Club Drive, (561) 792-8100. The school opened in 1987. There are 1,303 students at the school. The principal is Lindsay Ingersoll.
Elbridge Gale Elementary School, 1915 Royal Fern Drive, (561) 422-9300. The school opened in 2006. There are 939 students at the school. The principal is Gail Pasterczyk.
Non-district charter schools include: The Renaissance Charter School at Wellington (3200 South State Road 7, 561-228-5242) and the Somerset Academy Wellington (1000 Wellington Trace, 561-421-5510). Private schools in Wellington include #1 Education Place (561-753-6563), Palm Beach International Academy (561-406-8869), Score Academy (561-333-8882), Wellington Collegiate Academy (561-784-1776) and others.
Emerald Cove Middle School, 9950 Stribling Way, (561) 803-8000. The school opened in 2007. There are 1,273 students at the school. The principal is Dr. Eugina Smith Feaman.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Polo Park Middle School, 11901 Lake Worth Road, (561) 333-5500. The school opened in 2000. There are 1,199 students at the school. The principal is Dr. Jennifer Galindo.
Wellington High School, 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd., (561) 795-4900. The school opened in 1988. There are 2,815 students at the school. The principal is Cara Gorham.
SCHOOLS
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
dents at the school. The principal is Risa Suarez.
Equestrian Trails Elementary School, 9720 Stribling Way, (561) 904-9600. The school opened in 2003. There are 864 students at the school. The principal is Allyson Manning. New Horizons Elementary School, 13900 Greenbriar Blvd., (561) 651-0500. The school opened in 1988. There are 763 students at the school. The principal is Gloria Salazar. Palm Beach Central High School, 8499 Forest Hill Blvd., (561) 304-1000. The school opened in 2003. There are 3,144 students at the school. The principal is Reginald Myers. Panther Run Elementary School, 10775 Lake Worth Road, (561) 804-3900. The school opened in 1991. There are 811 stu-
64 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
LAW ENFORCEMENT Law enforcement services in the Village of Wellington are provided by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The PBSO District 8 office is located at 14000 Greenbriar Blvd. It is run by Capt. Nichole Addazio. The District 8 office can be reached at (561) 688-5447. There are 69 sworn law enforcement officers in the district. For emergency PBSO service call 911. There were 91,703 calls for service in 2024. Wellington’s law enforcement budget for fiscal year 2026 is $11,803,377.
FIRE-RESCUE Fire-rescue services in the Village of Wellington is provided by Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue. There are four stations inside
the village: Station 20 at 1000 Greenview Shores Blvd., Station 25 at 1060 Wellington Trace, Station 27 at 3411 South Shore Blvd. and Station 30 at 9610 Stribling Way. They responded to 6,423 calls in fiscal year 2024. The latest average response time is 6 minutes, 39 seconds. The local PBCFR stations are run by District Chief Amanda Vomero, who can be reached at (561) 7906105. For emergency fire-rescue service call 911.
LIBRARY The Wellington branch of the Palm Beach County Library System is located at 1951 Royal Fern Drive, (561) 790-6070. It is open seven days a week. The original building opened in 1997. The library has gone through two major expansions and renovations, the most recent was completed in 2021. It now features 30,000 square feet of space.
PARKS & RECREATION The Wellington Recreation Center is in Village Park at 11700 Pierson Road and can be reached at (561) 791-4005. The Parks & Recreation Department operates 23 neighborhood park facilities, 13 community park facilities/memorials and three preserves/ sanctuaries. The department offers hundreds of programs serving Wellington residents.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Wellington is served by several Palm Tran buses. For more information about the Palm Tran busing system call (561) 8414BUS. Wellington also offers a door-todoor, on-demand shuttle service for seniors called Freebee. To learn more, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/freebee.
BUSINESS & COMMERCE There are 1.32 square miles of commercial zoning, 2.61 square miles of commercial recreational zoning and 0.18 square miles of industrial zoning in the village. There are 2,844 active business licenses in the village. More than a dozen major shopping plazas are located within the community. The largest shopping venue is the Mall at Wellington Green, which is located at 10300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. (561-227-6900, www.shopwellingtongreen.com).
WELLINGTON Village Parks
The playground at Tiger Shark Cove Park, built by residents in 2000.
Wellington Community Center 12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Parks & Recreation Department Headquarters Village Park Athletics Complex 11700 Pierson Road Wellington, FL 33414
Community Facilities Forest Hill Boat Ramp 12500 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Greenbriar Park/ Wellington Dog Park 2975 Greenbriar Blvd.
Greenview Shores Park
2163 Greenview Shores Blvd.
Scott’s Place Playground 12190 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
South Shore Park
Community Memorials
1250 Block Island Road Lakeside Shores
3100 Lyons Road
Patriot Memorial
12198 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Wellington Veterans Memorial 11848 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Nature Preserves Peaceful Waters Sanctuary
11676 Pierson Road
Wellington Environmental Preserve
3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road
Aero Club Park
2675 Greenbriar Blvd.
Amesbury Park
2100 Amesbury Circle Greenview Shores 2
Margate Park
Block Island Park
12771 Buckland Street Greenview Shores 2
Brampton Cove Park
1100 Mystic Way South Shore 4
Mystic Park
13446 Northumberland Circle Greenview Shores 1
Dorchester Park
1679 Dorchester Place Greenview Shores 2
Essex Park
1250 Essex Drive South Shore 1
Farmington Park
Pine Valley Preserve 1465 Birkdale Drive
Primrose Park
1620 Primrose Lane Sugar Pond Manor
Rotary Peace Park
1825 Royal Fern Drive
Staimford Park
1752 Farmington Circle Greenview Shores 2
13599 Staimford Drive Greenview Shores 2
Field of Dreams Park
Summerwood Circle Park
12800 Peconic Court South Shore
Foresteria Park
903 Foresteria Avenue Sugar Pond Manor
Goldenrod Park
1042 Goldenrod Road
1073 Summerwood Circle Eastwood 3
Yarmouth Park
13829 Sheffield Street Greenview Shores 2
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Tiger Shark Cove Park
12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
10 Little Ranches Trail
Little Ranches Park
Wellington Tennis Center
Neighborhood Parks
Wellington Amphitheater
Berkshire Park
12181 Old Country Road South Pinewood East 2
3401 South Shore Blvd. 13800 Greenbriar Blvd.
Hawthorne Park
1550 Hawthorne Place
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
Olympia Park
9830 Stribling Way
Wellington Green Park
2175 Wellington Green Drive
Azure Park
949 Azure Avenue Sugar Pond Manor
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OUR FUTURE Council Members Look Toward The Future While Serving Residents Today BY JOSHUA MANNING
Since incorporation, the Village of Wellington has been led by a five-member council of local leaders who aim to take the wishes of residents and turn it into policy aimed at moving the community forward, while staying true to its past. The current Wellington Village Council includes Mayor Michael Napoleone, Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind, Councilman John McGovern, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri. For this special magazine honoring the 30th anniversary of incorporation, we asked each council member about what brought them to community service and their vision for Wellington’s future.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Serving The Wellington Community
Napoleone said that he has always believed in the importance of giving back. “Before my involvement with Wellington, I was an active member of the Palm Beach County Bar Association, serving on its board of directors and as its president,” he said. “I served on multiple committees for the Florida Bar, was on the board of directors for the Early Learning Coalition of Palm Beach County, and was an active presenter of programs aimed at increasing civic understanding.” Napoleone applied for a council appointment in 2015. “While I was not appointed, another council member was term-limited, so I decided that same night to run for his seat,” he said. “I truly enjoyed that first campaign and getting out to meet our residents, business leaders and community leaders.” He won the seat without opposition in
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2016. “Being a community servant means leading by example — putting the needs of others first, listening before acting and using your influence to empower rather than command,” Napoleone said. “When we give our time and our talents, we strengthen the bonds that hold our communities together.” Siskind served on Wellington’s Education Committee before being appointed to the council in 2016. She will be stepping down in March 2026 due to term limits. “I have a long history of community service, dating back to my involvement with the Junior League of the Palm Beaches,” Siskind said. “All three of my children attended Wellington public schools, and I volunteered on numerous committees. I served as PTA president at Binks Forest Elementary School for six years and also spent several years on the Palm Beach County Council of PTAs/PTSAs. I currently serve
on the board of directors for the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, and I chair the HCA Florida Palms West Hospital Board of Trustees.” McGovern’s family came to Wellington in 1986, when he was in seventh grade. “At that time, the only school was Wellington Elementary, so I went to middle school at Crestwood in Royal Palm Beach,” he recalled. “We have come a long way, and it means a lot to me to have been a part of the first graduating class to have attended all four years at Wellington High School, and it means even more to me to be the first member of the council to have grown up right here in Wellington.” Antuña has been a Wellington resident for 48 years. “Over those 48 years’ time, I have seen firsthand what makes Wellington so special. I love when our residents come together in times of need and for the good of
As the Village of Wellington approaches its 30th anniversary, the Wellington Village Council includes (L-R) Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri, Councilwoman Maria Antuña, Councilman John McGovern, Mayor Michael Napoleone and Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind.
Areas And Issues Of Particular Focus
Each council member has specific areas of focus. For example, Antuña said that she has “been focusing on small businesses, public safety, education and smart growth.” Both Silvestri and Siskind, meanwhile, came to prominence as education activists. “I will continue to support our schools in every way I can,” Silvesti said. “I will also focus a great deal on ensuring our parks
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Silvestri is a mother, wife and small business owner in Wellington. “My children attend our amazing Wellington public schools, we are heavily involved in our schools and also in youth sports programs offered in Wellington, and everything our family does revolves around Wellington,” Silvestri said. “After living here for 15 years, I decided it was time to give back to this wonderful community and ensure that it continues to be the best place to live, work and play.”
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
the village,” she said. “I became part of the community in 1977. My husband worked east, and I worked west — it was a middle point for us.” Antuña said that she has always felt a responsibility to contribute to her community. “I chose to focus on community service because I believe that strong communities do not happen by accident — they are built intentionally by people who care,” she said.
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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
and recreation is top notch and serves our community to the best of its ability. We have made some really great changes recently and will continue to evolve. I also remain focused on ensuring that Wellington remains the absolute best place to live, work and raise our precious families.” Siskind said that she has always been a champion for education. “My roots were in serving on the PTA,” she said. “Our schools and students have always been a focus area for me. I also prioritize Wellington’s equestrian lifestyle. My youngest daughter is an equestrian and grew up riding in Wellington. Our equestrian community is one of the things that sets us apart, making Wellington such a special place.” Along with supporting schools, McGovern puts his focus on fiscal responsibility and transparency. “These are two of the areas of service for which I am most proud,” he said. “Our millage tax rate has not been altered in seven years, and it remains flat at the average of the last 17 years. It is a real credit to the Wellington team that they have been able to maintain our superior level of service and control spending levels.” He noted that the village’s Keely Spinelli Education Grant program is something that other municipalities are now trying to emulate. “Supporting our schools with tax dollars is the ultimate statement of Wellington’s priorities, and it allows us to put our kids first; make them better students, residents and future workers; and get a great return on our investment through consistently high property values,” McGovern said. Napoleone is focused on an array of quality-of-life issues, such as safety, sustainability and fiscal responsibility. “First and foremost, I’m committed to preserving Wellington’s identity as the premier family community in Palm Beach County,” he said. “In this place, our parks, schools and neighborhoods work together to support families of every generation. That means continuing our record of innovative, stable budgeting, while making significant investments in the future.” Another major focus is recreation and youth engagement, which includes a host of programs that aim to offer younger
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residents opportunities to lead, learn and serve. “I’m equally focused on environmental sustainability and resiliency,” Napoleone said. “The 45-acre expansion of the Wellington Environmental Preserve enhances our defenses against flooding, improves water quality and reinforces our commitment to preserving the natural beauty that defines our community.” He also supports programs that keep Wellington connected, from the Freebee senior transportation service to improvements to common spaces, like Wellington’s Town Center and the Wellington Amphitheater. “At the heart of it all is a simple goal: to be good stewards of Wellington’s future, to protect what makes our village special, while investing wisely in the people, infrastructure and environment that will sustain it for generations,” Napoleone said.
Keeping Wellington A Thriving Community
Napoleone noted that every community needs to continually refresh itself by looking at ways to improve. One way to do that is through local schools. “Wellington remains the premier place in Palm Beach County to live and raise a family,” he said. “As a village, we support our 11 public schools each year through our Keely Spinelli grant.” In addition to public schools, Wellington is working to bring a new, elite private school to the community. “This new school, located at K-Park, will fill a missing piece of our educational puzzle by finally providing a high-quality private school option to families who currently drive 40 minutes or more, each way, twice a day to bring their children to a private school,” Napoleone said. “This will enable more kids to stay in Wellington and receive the best educational opportunities available.” Siskind added that strong financial planning is also crucial. “The Village of Wellington continually plans and budgets for a fiscally sound long-term future,” she said. “The council, along with every department, works together to ensure that Wellington has a balanced budget while keeping the mill-
age rate steady, taxes low and property values high — all while maintaining the high level of services that Wellington residents expect.” Public safety and parks are other key issues in keeping Wellington a desirable place to live, Antuña said. “Wellington has a strong partnership with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) and Palm Beach County FireRescue to ensure a strong public safety presence in the community,” she said. “Wellington strives to invest in parks, green spaces and public facilities to help keep the community attractive and functional. We are known for our extensive parks and recreational programs.” These programs bring the community together said Antuña, who is also proud of how Wellington implements green initiatives, such as water conservation programs, tree planting and sustainable landscaping policies, to protect the natural environment for future generations. “The village regularly engages residents through town hall meetings, surveys and digital platforms, ensuring that local government reflects the needs and desires of its citizens,” Antuña said. Meanwhile, surveys continually show that Wellington residents appreciate all that the village does. “In a recent community engagement survey of Wellington’s performance, conducted through Polco, 92 percent of residents responding said they would recommend Wellington as a place to live to their friends and family,” McGovern said. “That is something to be proud of and to be built upon. Wellington will remain thriving and desirable as long as we do what we have always done: support and protect the special equestrian nature of our community, have unique support for and partnerships with our schools, and make sure that our parks and recreation and community programming touch all sectors of the village and are second to none.” Silvestri added that it comes down to the quality of life that Wellington offers. “The village is constantly reaching out to the community to determine what we can do next to improve and ensure that our great quality of life continues to be a priority,” she said. “When we hear our residents’ concerns and requests, we take that to heart. A huge priority is to ensure that everyone, whether you are an ath-
lete, nature lover, avid walker or cyclist, senior, young family, equestrian or our youth feels that they have a space to enjoy.”
Looking Toward The Future
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
green spaces and ensuring that future generations can enjoy the same natural beauty we do today,” Napoleone said. “And we’ll continue to celebrate and support our equestrian heritage, finding new ways to integrate and enhance this defining element of our identity so that Wellington remains the global heart of the equestrian world for decades to come.” Siskind also expects that the equestrian lifestyle will still be thriving 30 years down the road. “I would expect Wellington to look and feel pretty much as it is today, but with a few more amenities, such as more restaurants, shops and other conveniences that many of our residents have been requesting over the past decade,” she said. Antuña envisions a future village that is a “thriving, inclusive and resilient community that blends small-town charm with forward-thinking innovation.” “Our neighborhoods will be walkable, green and vibrant — powered by clean energy, supported by modern infrastructure and connected through advanced technology,” Antuña said. “Housing will be more attainable, and local businesses will be thriving with entrepreneurship growing. I envision safe bike paths and reliable public transit.” Along with eco-friendly development practices, Antuña also hopes to see more public art and intergenerational programs, along with events that bring people together across all backgrounds. “The village of 2055 will be a place where people of all generations and walks of life will feel connected, empowered and proud to call Wellington home!” she said. Silvestri added, “I would love to see redevelopment of some spaces in our community. Over time, some areas have not moved forward with the rest of the village, and I would love to assist in reimagining those spaces.” McGovern doesn’t know exactly what to expect, but he can’t wait to see it. “I imagine that Wellington will expand through annexation, because so many folks want to be part of the village,” he said. “There will likely be a reimagining at both of Wellington’s malls, and there will likely be new and exciting expansions at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Those are just a few of the things that I think will probably happen over the next couple of decades.”
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
As the village looks ahead, Napoleone stressed that Wellington must stay true to itself. “To me, that means we should not try to be all things to all people, but instead focus on those things that we do well, and continually find ways to improve them. One such area of excellence is our parks, recreation facilities and programming. Over the past few years, we have worked to improve and expand our facilities, providing our residents with more choices and better venues. We created Greenview Shores Park at Wellington High School, which helped us address the need for more field space. We expanded the amphitheater and added the Lakeside Promenade to better host concerts, events and our green market. We added pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park, and we completely renovated and reopened South Shore Park as a premier green space for open and unprogrammed play.” Other new park projects include a world-class aquatics complex at Village Park, adding six tennis courts and six padel courts at the Wellington Tennis Center, and adding 40 additional acres of land to the Wellington Environmental Preserve. “In line with the theme of outdoor recreation, we support our equestrian community and venues, which contribute to the unique character of Wellington,” Napoleone said. “We maintain miles of equestrian trails throughout the village and are excited about the new showgrounds being developed adjacent to Wellington International.” Siskind looks forward to seeing all of these projects come to fruition. “I would also like to see the owners of the Mall at Wellington Green come to some consensus and move forward with a plan that makes sense for Wellington,” she said. Antuña hopes to see better traffic flow with more roundabouts, better signage, smart signal timing and intersection improvements, as well as “alternative transit options like better public transportation, shuttle services, improved bike paths and pedestrian walkways.”
Antuña also wants Wellington to “continue our commitment to water quality, stormwater management and flood prevention — especially with our climate; keeping and improving infrastructure so that development does not cause flood risk or water issues.” McGovern agreed that Wellington must remain true to its identity. “The village has grown and developed and modernized, but at its core, Wellington is still a one-of-a-kind, family-focused, environmentally friendly, uniquely equestrian based, multi-generational community made up of diverse neighborhoods, with A-rated public schools and second to none youth programming,” McGovern explained. In the near future, McGovern said, “I want to see the ‘North Course’ turned into a community park; the new pool, something we really haven’t had in a generation, opened and thriving; and the location where the pool is now turned into new green space as an added amenity around the community center and amphitheater. I also want the new, state-of-theart PBSO substation built.” Amanda Silvestri added that, “My main goal for Wellington is to ensure that we remain the unique village we all love while also moving forward and continuing to thrive.” Looking further into the more distant future, there are other challenges that await, particularly, McGovern said, in an ever-changing Palm Beach County landscape where the western communities are quickly becoming the central communities. “This brings with it risks and opportunities,” he noted. Napoleone hopes that 30 years from now, Wellington remains a thriving, connected and sustainable community “that continues to embody the values that make it special today. While we can’t control every change around us, we can shape how we respond through thoughtful planning, responsible growth and good stewardship.” This requires keeping Wellington known as the premier community for families. “We’ll preserve the character of our neighborhoods while embracing innovation that improves the quality of life. We’ll remain champions of the environment by protecting our preserves, expanding
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WELLINGTON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
When Wellington was first developed, doctor’s appointments, emergencies and medical procedures meant a long trek east for Wellington residents. That all changed in 1986 when Pennsylvania-based Universal Health Services (UHS) opened what would become Wellington Regional Medical Center. The small hospital has since grown dramatically into a major medical campus with an array of hospital and medical office buildings at the northwest corner of State Road 7 and Forest Hill Blvd.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The now iconic new front tower of Wellington Regional Medical Center under construction in 2003.
70 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The groundbreaking for what became Wellington Regional Medical Center in 1986. Shown are founding doctors Harold Kirsh, Michael Longo and Albert LaTorra, along with UHS CEO Alan B. Miller (right). Also shown are Richard Wright of UHS and Royal Palm Beach Mayor Sam Lamstein.
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OUR MAYORS Dr. Carmine Priore 1998-2000
Tom Wenham 2000-2008
Darell Bowen 2008-2012
Bob Margolis 2012-2016
Anne Gerwig 2016-2024
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Kathy Foster 1996-1998
72 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Michael Napoleone 2024-Present
There have been seven mayors of Wellington since incorporation 30 years ago. At first, Wellington’s mayor was selected by the council from among the council members. In 2002, a charter change was approved switching to a directly elected mayor. The first mayor was Kathy Foster, who was chosen to hold the gavel at the inaugural council meeting in 1996, serving until 1998. Dr. Carmine Priore served as mayor from 1998 until 2000, when Tom Wenham was chosen as mayor. In 2003, when the charter change became effective, voters chose Wenham as Wellington’s first directly elected mayor. He served in the role until 2008. Subsequent directly elected mayors have been Darell Bowen from 2008 to 2012, Bob Margolis from 2012 to 2016, Anne Gerwig from 2016 to 2024, and the current mayor, Michael Napoleone, who was elected in 2024.
To celebrate the village’s 20th anniversary in 2016, Wellington The Magazine featured a cover image with five of Wellington’s mayors.
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VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
Happy 30th Anniversary Village of Wellington!
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 73
THE WELLINGTON BRANCH LIBRARY Wellington did not get its own branch of the Palm Beach County Library System until 1997. Before then, residents had to head to other branches or wait for a visit from the mobile library bus. When it opened, the library featured 8,000 square feet of space. The building nearly quadrupled in size, to 30,000 square feet, in 2007, which added an array of gathering spaces within the facility for community events and for residents to enjoy. The library closed for additional renovations in 2020, reopening with a rededication ceremony in December 2021.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Before Wellington had its own library branch, residents received visits from the mobile library bus.
Palm Beach County officials join Wellington officials for a library rededication ceremony on Dec. 18, 2021.
The Wellington branch library, as it looks today, after the 2021 renovation and expansion.
74 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Marking the library’s 20th anniversary in 2017, then-Wellington Branch Manager Margaret Barry with longtime volunteer Mimi Levinson, who was instrumental in persuading the county to open a Wellington branch in 1997.
Former Wellington Mayor Tom and Regis Wenham at the 2021 rededication ceremony by a library conference room named in their honor.
A COUNTRY CLUB COMMUNITY Wellington was originally conceived as a “country club community” — and that requires country clubs. Once people started moving to the community, and before business and industry took root, “the club” was the main source of community gathering and entertainment. That started with a groundbreaking at the Wellington Club East in 1979. Now the site of the Wellington Community Center, that club was the central gathering place over the next decade. Corepoint, Wellington’s final master developer, took over in 1985, focusing on an array of beautifications and enhancement projects. That included building a second club, the Wellington Club West. A groundbreaking was held on April 25, 1988, with the new clubhouse opening with great fanfare about a year later in 1989.
The Wellington Club West, built by master developer Corepoint, opened in 1989. That club is now known as the Wanderers Club.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The Wellington Club East, as it appeared shortly after the village bought the property in 1998 for nearly $3 million. The original building became the Wellington Community Center and underwent several retrofits before being torn down and completely rebuilt in 2016.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 75
WELLINGTON’S AERO CLUB NEIGHBORHOOD
Gould Florida, one of Wellington’s early developers, focused on bolstering the community’s image as a retreat for the wealthy. That included the creation of the Aero Club, a unique, aviation-themed community in the western reaches of Wellington. After a groundbreaking in 1979, the community got its start in the early 1980s. As its name suggests, there is a strong aviation theme in the Aero Club. Each of the approximately 240 lots in the Aero Club is capable of housing a small plane and has access to the community’s 4,000-foot runway. It is one of the largest aviation-themed communities in the country. Learn more about this unique neighborhood at www.wellingtonaeroclub.com.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Hundreds of small aircraft are kept at homes in the Aero Club, one of the most unique neighborhoods in Wellington.
76 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Originally grass, the runway at the Aero Club was paved in 2012.
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THE MALL AT WELLINGTON GREEN
Plans for the Mall at Wellington Green were already in progress when Wellington incorporated 30 years ago. In fact, the proposed mall passed its first hurdle in December 1995 when the Palm Beach County Commission approved a land use change for the 466-acre parcel at the corner of State Road 7 and Forest Hill Blvd. The Wellington Village Council spent much of its early years reviewing plans for the mall, which opened with great fanfare on Oct. 5, 2001.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Original mall developer Robert Taubman (right) celebrates the opening of the Mall at Wellington Green as confetti falls on Oct. 5, 2001.
78 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Village Manager Charlie Lynn points to the Mall at Wellington Green under construction in early 2001.
An artistic rendering of the main entrance to the Mall at Wellington Green from a preconstruction prospectus brochure.
Village Of Wellington On Your
Anniversary BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025
Jim Sackett Chair
Pam Tahan Vice Chair
Hope Barron Treasurer
Terri Kane Secretary
Joanna Boynton Director
Michael Gauger Director
Donald Gross Director
Barry Manning Director
James Seder Director
Kevin Shapiro Director
Roxanne Stein Director
John Varvarigos Director
Maggie Zeller Director
Wellington Community Foundation is committed to benefiting Wellington Seniors, Children & Veterans in need by supporting and improving their quality of life.
“
WE WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD JOIN US IN OUR MISSION. So Together We Can Continue
Building A Stronger Community”
THE TOWN-CRIER NEWSPAPER
The Town-Crier, Wellington’s community newspaper, was founded in May 1980 by resident Bob Markey Sr. A Korean War veteran, he worked in the newspaper industry in New York before moving to South Florida. He moved to Wellington with his family in 1977. The Town-Crier grew quickly and has been an instrumental voice in the community ever since. Markey was a strong voice in support of the incorporation of Wellington. The newspaper has been operated by the Manning family since 1998.
The issue of the Town-Crier just before the final incorporation vote included a front-page opinion piece by Bob Markey Sr. supporting the creation of the Village of Wellington.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Early Town-Crier staff members with one of several awards that the newspaper won from the Florida Press Association. Bob Markey Sr. is shown holding the award.
The Town-Crier has been serving the community for more than 45 years. Shown here is the newspaper staff as it appeared in 2017.
80 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
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BUSINESS COMES TO WELLINGTON
Business came to the fledgling community of Wellington on Feb. 19, 1976, with a groundbreaking ceremony at Wellington Country Plaza, the community’s first shopping center, built by developer Alan Black at the corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. It is now known as the Wellington Plaza. By the time it opened, two more shopping centers were on the way — Wellington Commons across the street (now known as the original Wellington Mall) and Wellington Town Square at Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards, which brought Wellington’s first Publix store. Both opened late in 1982.
A photo from the grand opening of Cobblestones, one of Wellington’s earliest restaurants, in December 1982. Shown are Alice Witkowski, owner Dennis Witkowski, partner George Trum and contractor Gene Manning.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The oldest continuously operating restaurant in Wellington is Gabriel’s Café & Grille in the Wellington Plaza. When it first opened, it was known as Annamarie’s Café. Current owner Gabriel Finocchietti, shown here (left) with his staff in 1998, took over in 1990.
82 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Polo player Mike Azzaro’s horse peeks into the original Tackeria store at the polo club barns in 1989. PHOTO BY SNOOPY PRODUCTIONS
Wellington Country Plaza was the community’s first shopping center. It is now known as the Wellington Plaza.
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce, the community’s first business organization, was founded in 1983. The original board included (front row) Len Bierer and James Bruggerman; (middle row) Sharon Edelman, Mike Abate and Dennis Witkowski; and (back row) Bob Markey Sr., Marge Isador, Steve Addler and Connie Manske.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
First known as Wellington Commons when it opened in 1982, the original Wellington Mall is one of the oldest shopping plazas in the community.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 83
SALUTING OUR VETERANS
Veterans have always been an important part of the Wellington community. Shortly after incorporation, land was set aside for Veterans Park at the corner of South Shore and Forest Hill boulevards. That site eventually became the Wellington Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated on Memorial Day in 2005. Every year, on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the village hosts a parade and ceremony at the memorial. Wellington got its own American Legion Post in 2008, when Post 390 was formed by 24 veterans led by David Knapp, Tom Wenham and others.
Wellington’s American Legion Post 390 was formed by 24 veterans in 2008. Shown here is the first official officer installation ceremony.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The Wellington Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Memorial Day in 2005.
84 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Wellington veterans gather at Veterans Park, the site of the future Wellington Veterans Memorial, in 2002.
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PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 85
THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
In the mid-1980s, Wellington was a community with many young families, and very few recreational options. A group called YAW (Youth Activities of Wellington) worked to solve the problem, helping organize a cooperative effort between Palm Beach County, the Acme Improvement District, developer Corepoint and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The grand opening of the new Boys & Girls Club of Wellington on South Shore Blvd. was held April 18, 1987, bringing the community its first full-fledged recreational facility — the first of many to follow. The Boys & Girls Club moved to a new, much larger facility on Wellington Trace in 2013, now known as the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club.
The club’s 1987 grand opening featured a visit from the famed Wellington Clydesdales.
A balloon release caps the 1987 grand opening event of the Boys & Girls Club.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Officials gather on stage for the dedication ceremony of the original club in 1987.
86 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club opened in April 2013. Shown here are benefactor Neil Hirsch with Sara Gehrke, Tom Wenham and Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis.
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PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 87
WELLINGTON’S TOWN CENTER When Wellington was incorporated, it took over the offices of the old Acme Improvement District at 14000 Greenbriar Blvd. However, there was not enough space for the growing municipality, and other offices were spread throughout the community. In 2010, the village opened a 26,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art municipal building at what has since become known as Wellington Town Center. The area is also home to the Wellington Amphitheater and Scott’s Place Playground, which also opened in 2010. The nearby Patriot Memorial opened in 2011, followed by a completely rebuilt Wellington Community Center in 2016.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Members of the Wellington Village Council take a hard-hat tour of the new Wellington Community Center under construction. (L-R) John McGovern, John Greene, Bob Margolis, Matt Willhite and Anne Gerwig.
88 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The new Wellington Village Hall building, shown shortly after it opened in 2010.
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WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
Wellington The Magazine launched in January 2004 as a monthly lifestyle magazine serving the vibrant community of Wellington. From detailed coverage of the local equestrian community to features on interesting residents and businesses, Wellington The Magazine has been “bringing you the best of Wellington” for the past 22 years. In that time, the magazine has earned itself a dedicated readership base, both in its glossy, heavy-stock print format, and its sleek, technologically savvy digital edition, available complimentary to readers around the world through a variety of internet outlets. This shows the interest that life in the Village of Wellington garners, both near and far.
A front cover retrospective published in January 2014 to celebrate the magazine’s 10th anniversary.
The premiere issue of Wellington The Magazine published in January of 2004 and included a cover feature on the Aero Club.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The magazine celebrated its first year with a retrospective of front covers, which became a tradition for milestone anniversaries.
90 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The front cover of the magazine’s 100th issue, which appeared in April 2012.
Wellington The Magazine published a special edition in 2024 to celebrate its 20th anniversary, featuring this front cover foldout.
WESTLAKE
Congratulations to the Village Of Wellington
30th Anniversary! on your
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THE WELLINGTON ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVE
The Wellington Environmental Preserve at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Everglades Habitat is a 410-acre rainwater storage area with nature trails and learning centers located off Flying Cow Ranch Road in western Wellington. Originally built in 2010 and recently expanded, the preserve was created through a partnership between the South Florida Water Management District and the Village of Wellington to cleanse rainwater in compliance with the Everglades Forever Act. In order to accomplish this, seven pump stations and a canal system work to bring water to the preserve. It is then naturally cleansed as it flows through two miles of wetland/marsh areas, littoral shelves and deep-water sediment traps. The site is also an amazing passive park with native landscaping to provide an exhibition of natural Florida from a paved pedestrian path and boardwalk, through the designated learning areas, an observation tower and more.
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
A paved pedestrian path winds its way through the preserve, letting visitors get an up-close look at native Florida flora.
Wellington officials join project partners for a groundbreaking ceremony in 2024 to signify the start of the preserve’s recent expansion.
92 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The six-story observation tower offers the best views possible of the Wellington Environmental Preserve.
To 3 s r e e h C
0
lington l e W f ge O a l l i V Years!
CHARLES & DIANA VISIT WELLINGTON Palm Beach Polo put Wellington on the international map with celebrities and equestrians. Among them was Prince Charles, now King Charles III. He visited Wellington to play polo twice in the 1980s — once before his marriage to Princess Diana, and again with Princess Diana in November 1985. The first visit made headlines when, after playing in 90-degree heat, Prince Charles had to be taken to Good Samaritan because of heat exhaustion. The weather was nicer in 1985, which brought out huge, adoring crowds for Charles and Diana.
Prince Charles plays at Palm Beach Polo in Wellington in the 1980s.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
PHOTO BY ALEX WEBB/IMAGE COURTESY THE MUSEUM OF POLO AND HALL OF FAME
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
Princess Diana is greeted at the airport by a kindergarten student from Wellington Elementary School.
PHOTO COURTESY THE WELLINGTON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
94 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
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PLACES TO VISIT An Array Of Diverse Options For Wellington Residents In the past 30 years since incorporation, the Village of Wellington has grown into a strong, diverse community with an award-winning recreational system with something for everyone. How many of the amazing venues on these pages have you visited? If you’ve missed any, be sure to check them out!
Forest Hill Boat Ramp 12500 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
All residents with a permit are welcome to boat on Lake Wellington. The Forest Hill Boat Ramp is open from sunrise to sunset.
Rotary Peace Park 1825 Royal Fern Drive
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
Rotary Peace Park is a place for quiet contemplation with benches and a boardwalk. The Wellington Rotary Club hosts its peace ceremony here every September.
96 JANUARY 2026 | PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
The Patriot Memorial 12198 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
Dedicated to the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks, it includes one of the largest steel beams salvaged from the World Trade Center.
Peaceful Waters Sanctuary
11676 Pierson Road Located at Village Park, Peaceful Waters is a 30-acre wetlands park with 1,500 feet of nature boardwalks and a mile of walking trails. It is a great place for bird watching.
The Wellington Amphitheater 12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.
One of the village’s primary entertainment venues, Wellington hosts events at the amphitheater several times a week.
The Wellington Dog Park 2975 Greenbriar Blvd.
The Wellington Dog Park features a large, fenced-in, off-leash area separated into sections for small, medium and large dogs where well-behaved pups come to play.
The Wellington Environmental Preserve 3491 Flying Cow Ranch Road
Commune with natural Florida at this 410-acre passive park with nature trails and learning centers off Flying Cow Ranch Road in western Wellington.
The Town Center Promenade
12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Located behind the Wellington Community Center, the promenade offers some amazing views of Lake Wellington. Many special events are also held here.
The Wellington Tennis Center 3100 Lyons Road
11848 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Located at the intersection of South Shore and Forest Hill boulevards, the memorial is dedicated to all of Wellington’s veterans, with monuments representing wars and flags for the service branches.
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS
The Wellington Veterans Memorial
VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON
The Wellington Tennis Center is a 4,506-square-foot facility with 21 self-irrigated Har-Tru clay courts, a roof-top balcony and a pro-shop. A major expansion of the facility is underway.
PUBLISHED BY WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2026 97
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