Our Backyard Ballpark: Why CoolToday Park Is a Wellen Park Game-Changer

By Scott Swonger, HomeSmart Realtor

Not many communities can say they have a Major League Baseball stadium right in the neighborhood — but here in Wellen Park, we can. CoolToday Park, the spring training home of the Atlanta Braves, is one of the crown jewels of our community, and since I've lived here (going on eight years now), I've watched it become so much more than just a ballpark. Let me tell you why it's such a big deal for those of us who call this place home.

Spring Training with the Braves

Every spring, the Atlanta Braves roll into town, and Wellen Park comes alive. CoolToday Park opened in 2019 and seats around 8,000 fans, and there's nothing quite like catching a spring training game on a perfect Florida afternoon just minutes from your house. For baseball fans, having a big-league team train in your backyard is a genuine thrill — and for the community, it draws visitors from all over, which brings great energy (and plenty of business) to the area.

Free Summer Baseball You Might Not Know About

Here's one of my favorite local secrets: the baseball doesn't stop when the Braves head north. During the summer, CoolToday Park hosts FCL Braves games — that's the Florida Complex League, the pro rookie league — and many of these games are free to attend. It's a wonderfully low-key, family-friendly way to enjoy an evening of ball without spending a dime. If you've got kids (or just love the game), it's hard to beat.

A Year-Round Destination

What really makes CoolToday Park special is that it never sits empty. It's become a true year-round entertainment hub, hosting:

• Concerts and live music events
• Family movie nights on the big screen
• Community gatherings and seasonal celebrations
• Fourth of July fireworks that light up the sky over the community

So even in the off-season, there's almost always a reason to head over. It's the kind of amenity that keeps giving back to residents all twelve months of the year.

Why It Matters for the Community

Beyond the fun, CoolToday Park has been a real anchor for Wellen Park's growth. It put our community on the map, drew national attention, and helped fuel the development of Downtown Wellen right alongside it. When people ask me why Wellen Park has grown so quickly and become such a sought-after place to live, the ballpark is always part of the answer. It gave us an identity and a destination from day one.

For me personally, it's just plain fun to live somewhere with this much going on. Spring training games, free summer ball, concerts under the stars, fireworks on the Fourth — all within minutes of home. That's a lifestyle perk you don't find in most master-planned communities.

If having big-league entertainment in your backyard sounds like your kind of living, come see it for yourself. I'd love to show you the neighborhoods near CoolToday Park and Downtown Wellen and help you find a spot in the middle of all the action. As always, check the CoolToday Park schedule for the latest games and events — there's usually something on the calendar.

— Scott Swonger, HomeSmart Realtor