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With golf, tennis, swimming, fitness equipment, hiking, biking and even a basketball court, there is no reason to be sedentary in Waterford.
Unless you want to be.
A gated, deed-restricted, upscale golf community in north Venice, Waterford was created in 1990 by developer Mike Miller. Just south of Laurel Road, it abuts Interstate 75 to the east and Pinebrook Road to the west. Most of the neighborhood lies north of Edmondson Road, but three subdivisions — Brenner Park, Berkshire Place and Turnberry Place — are south of Edmondson.
Waterford has 640 homes — slightly more than half of them detached, maintenance-free villas and the remainder houses. Builders included such well-respected companies as Ammon Schrock, Lewis Homes and Peterson Homes.
Now in its third decade, Waterford has mature foliage throughout, with many picturesque vistas across the links of the 27-hole, championship golf course. It shares the land with abundant wildlife, including eagles, bobcat and the occasional alligator. About a third of the homes have direct views of the 19 lakes and littoral areas, which cover approximately 77 acres of the community. Littoral areas are shallow wetlands that act as buffer zones for ecological balance and water discharge.
Laura Kovac, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Co., has lived in Nokomis since 1982 and has sold a number of properties in Waterford. She remembers when the community was developed.
“It went up fast and sold out quickly,” she recalled. “The offer of maintenance-free villas and single-family homes gave people a choice, and they liked the views of the lakes and golf course.”
She and her customers also like the convenient location.
“It’s close to Venice and the beaches there, and also has easy access to Interstate 75 off Laurel Road,” she said. “And it’s not a big drive to Sarasota, either.”
Waterford has 10 small communities. Each subdivision has its own controlled- access gate, neighborhood association and regulations. All residents pay an annual fee of $1,173 to the master association, which covers maintenance of the private roads and use of the Sports Club, a 6,000-square-foot facility with kitchen, library, a recreational meeting room, as well as the geothermal-heated pool, Jacuzzi and wading pool, sun deck, barbecue area, basketball and volleyball courts and four Har-Tru tennis courts.
Many residents also join the semi-private golf course, which consistently ranks among the top 20 courses in the region. Its rolling fairways, hazards and greens were designed by renowned golf-course architect Ted McAnlis. The golf club has a driving range and putting-practice area. The 11,000-square-foot clubhouse has dining facilities for breakfast and lunch, a pro shop and men’s and women’s locker rooms.
Residents in Brenner Park reflect the overall population of Waterford, with a majority being retirees and snowbirds. But working professionals — teachers, attorneys, Realtors — also live there.
Shellie and Dan Rubin have lived in Brenner Park, one of the single-family home subdivisions, since 2005. The neighborhood is essentially one long street with homes on either side. Their three-bedroom house, which has 2,463 square feet under air, was built in 1992.
“We live on one of the best streets in Venice for quiet and a sense of community,” Shellie Rubin said. “It’s very social and everybody looks out for one another.”
Her husband agreed: “When we first came, there was a group of people that had a party to welcome us and a new neighbor next door, and we felt comfortable right away.”
The Rubins partake in the monthly Sunday night potluck dinners held at the Waterford Sports Club and use the other facilities regularly. “There are lots of activities, including bridge, line dancing and water aerobics,” Shellie Rubin said.
Like many of their neighbors, they like the easy access to Venice — Dan teaches at Venice High School — and appreciate that the master association works hard to maintain and improve the overall quality of the community.
“Last year, they installed new mail boxes and night lights everywhere, and put in a playground and new grills in the picnic area of the clubhouse,” Dan Rubin said.
“Management will send you a letter if the roof needs to be cleaned, or you don’t have enough mulch on your flower beds — to make sure the property is kept up to standards,” Shellie Rubin said.
Waterford is a stable community. Of 41 real estate transactions since 2012, only three were short sales. Since the beginning of this year, there have been 29 sales, 12 of them single-family homes and 17 villas, ranging in price from $157,000 to $400,000.
Six listings — three villas and three houses — are priced from $210,000 to $484,000; two sales are pending.
