Our History: How we became one of the top master planned communities Florida has to offer

The community of Harmony is the ultimate realization of a dream long-held by its founders, Jim and Martha Lentz. The Harmony Institute was founded in 1996 to develop peaceful, healthy, co-existing relationships with domestic animals and natural ecologies. But the dream was to create a complete town. It would be unlike any other master-planned community in Florida, with a vision to build an immersive expression of a more healthful, more fulfilling life experience, lived in closer contact with pets, wildlife and nature. Many locations were considered before deciding on the current property – 11,000 acres of Old Florida in an area historically known as the Triple E Ranch. Today, Harmony Florida is home to approximately 1,250 multi-generational residents and is an ongoing expression of the commitment to and vision of environmentally intelligent living.

Harmony Core Values

As Central Florida's largest green-certified community, it's not just the grass that's greener on our side of the fence. And it's because we live by a strong set of core values.

The benefits of living in harmony with nature

As advocated by the Harmony Institute, we believe that human health and well-being is enhanced by the regular interaction of people, animals and the environment. Harmony encourages pet ownership and provides for their needs, too. Our goal is to maintain 70 percent of Harmony as open space. Significant plots and corridors of open space throughout the community assure that habitat areas and parks are within a short walk of every home. Miles of trails, nature-based amenities and a professional on-site conservation program all serve to facilitate the experience of living in Harmony.

The opportunity for healthier lifestyles

Harmony's 12.5-mile network of connected paths not only provide ongoing contact with nature but they also offer safe avenues away from street traffic for invigorating walks, jogs and bike rides. Community-owned boats, athletic courts and fields, a community activities program and an 18-hole championship golf course that's also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary provide a full roster of mentally and physically stimulating things for all ages to enjoy. The compact, intimate design of Harmony also means that retail shops and services are within easy walking distance of each neighborhood. So, doing errands “on foot” is both convenient and enjoyable. Harmony is also one of the few communities in Central Florida where students in all grades can easily walk to class without crossing a major street. All this outdoor activity and freedom promotes contact and interaction among Harmony's residents and helps build bonds between neighbors and creates a feeling of shared interest.

A strong sense of place and community

That immediate “we're home” feeling you get the moment you enter Harmony's neighborhoods is in part a result of their neo-traditional design that bring back so much of what was right about America's small towns. You'll find broad sidewalks, welcoming front porches, short set-backs from the streets and, with many plans, rear garages with off-street entry. The architecture and landscape are inspired by the native Kissimmee Prairie and Florida flat woods vegetation and the ranches and settlements of Central Florida in an effort to be in balance with its larger, regional setting. Community identity is further enhanced by natural and man-made boundaries and landmarks. Our many seasonal events — such as the Dark Sky Festival, Harvest Festival and Winter Carnival — capture the essence of life in Harmony, with its small town warmth and friendliness, and we are pleased and proud to share these community celebrations with the general public.

Access to community features

As with any vibrant town, there are distinctive neighborhoods in Harmony. Our mix of housing styles and sizes creates a healthy and dynamic economic and social balance. Open-space assets such as Buck Lake and Cat Lake as well as the Harmony Golf Preserve are carefully protected treasures, but they are not cut off from the community by private lots on their shores or boundaries. These visual and recreational resources are visible from our streets and available to appreciate.