More than 200 people participate in Moorings Park’s Showcase of Homes

On March 1, Moorings Park held its 12th annual Showcase of Homes at its 83-acre campus off Goodlette-Frank Road, south of Pine Ridge Road. The event was a success as more than 200 people arrived at the community’s newly renovated and expanded clubhouse to begin their tour.

The Showcase of Homes allows participants to preview Moorings Park’s residential choices, ranging from two-bedroom homes to grand residences of over 5,000 square feet. The tour is unique due to the fact that many residents of the community generously volunteered to open their private homes to the public for a better understanding and an exclusive perspective of Moorings Park’s lifestyle.

Participants also had an opportunity to tour Moorings Park’s Simply the Best amenities and services, including The Center for Healthy Living, the upscale Trio Restaurant, the Bower Chapel and Korest Plaza, the Botanical and Butterfly Gardens, and Lyon Park.

Visitors were also provided overviews of the Moorings Park at Grey Oaks campus, the new Moorings Park Grande Lake community, and Moorings Park’s Platinum and Diamond membership programs.

"Our Showcase of Homes event provides visitors a wonderful opportunity to learn about the community, meet residents and key members of our staff, and view first hand many of our amenities, which are seldom open to the public," stated Steve Brinkert, Moorings Park’s Vice President of Resident Services. "At the end of the tour, it is our hope that guests can then determine if Moorings Park is the right fit for their needs."

George and Barbara Koch were two of the 200-plus visitors taking part in the day-long event. One of their favorite stops on the tour was visiting resident’s homes.

The private homes that were opened to the public were hosted by residents. One such resident volunteer was Laurie Morss. She had the privilege of welcoming visitors into a residence consisting of two penthouse units that were combined into one.

"It’s quite a spectacular space," said Morss. "Those who toured it were very enthusiastic – actually in awe. They also asked many good questions about the home, as well as what it’s like to live in Moorings Park. I was more than happy to answer since I’m celebrating my sixth anniversary this month of being a satisfied resident."

Resident Joan Foster has opened her home to the public in past Showcases of Homes. This year, she volunteered to welcome visitors to one of her fellow resident’s homes.

"People often ask if the residence I’m showing is for sale, which it’s not," said Foster. "What they seem more curious about is the customization of a home. They want to know what, if anything, was done in the residence they are touring. They’re also curious about the rules the community has regarding customizing a home."

Edith Carroll is another resident volunteer who likes to tell visitors about one of the major advantages to living at Moorings Park versus most other similar communities.

"Most retirement communities consist of building after building, all looking the same, all with the same floor plan," said Carroll. "At Moorings Park, there is a wide range of residential choices. They include: Tower residences. Mid-rise residences. Garden residences. Courtyard residences. And Waterside residences. People have different tastes. At Moorings Park there is something for everyone – a wide variety of residential choices."

The "something for everyone" isn’t limited to the residences. There’s also a variety of amenities throughout the community, many of which were part of the Showcase of Homes tour.

Upon arriving at the clubhouse, which just completed a remodeling and expansion, visitors were greeted by valets under the clubhouse’s new porte-cochere entry. They were then directed to enter the grand foyer and into the community’s elegant, but casual indoor/outdoor restaurant, Park Grill, before making their way to their theater seats for an orientation.

One of the stops along the tour was The Center for Healthy Living, a 37,000-square-foot facility created to facilitate longer, healthier and happier living.

The innovative Center for Healthy Living provides one-of-a-kind wellness activities for mind, body and spirit. It includes the Sheffield Theatre, a multifunctional space featuring tiered seating for up to 78 people and designed for enjoying high definition and surround sound entertainment and informative lectures.

The Center is also home to a specialized senior fitness center, the Cognitive Zone for brain fitness, an Internet Café for healthy dining, the Rejuvenate Salon & Spa, and the Physicians Clinic, which offers residents Concierge Primary Healthcare, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Directly across the street from The Center for Healthy Living were other stops, the Trio Restaurant, and Korest Plaza and Bower Chapel

Trio Restaurant embodies three dining experiences wrapped into one space: a fireplace room, elegant dining room with a fully stocked bar, and a refined wine room. Residents have the option of dining in the main dining room, private dining rooms, or on the outdoor waterfront patio.

At one end of Korest Plaza is the 230-seat Bower Chapel, which provides a non-denominational venue. One of the focal points of Bower Chapel is its pipe organ, with the 1,902 pipes and architectural design.

Additional stops along the tour focused on Moorings Park’s outdoor amenities and activities including Lyon Park which features Har-Tru tennis courts, putting and chipping greens, bocce ball courts and a pavilion. The community’s Botanical and Butterfly Gardens are also a colorful respite.

Tour participants, who may be considering moving into Moorings Park in the future, received information on Moorings Park’s two membership program. The programs provide an opportunity for those individuals or couples to experience the community’s on-site healthcare, social activities and dining options prior to committing to residency.

Both the Platinum and Diamond Membership programs are available for a one-time membership fee, plus a monthly charge. The membership fees can be applied to residency entrance fees at Moorings Park or at the Moorings Park at Grey Oaks campus once the decision to move into Moorings Park is made.

For more than 35 years Moorings Park, a nationally accredited, nonprofit, Medicare-certified community, and the only A+ S & P and Fitch rated Life Plan Community in the country, has set the standard when it comes to Southwest Florida retirement communities, offering luxury residences, world-class amenities and outstanding healthcare services.

Visit MooringsPark.org.