The City of Westfield, Indiana is a fast-growing suburban Indianapolis community emphasizing quality-of-life improvements through residential facilities and amenities. Kimblewick by Del Webb is a community of nearly 500 homes including approximately 16 acres of naturalized common area in Westfield. Due to the City’s density ordinance, which is based on the amount of green space and multifamily development area, Pulte Homes of Indiana partnered with Williams Creek Management to create an extensive, one-of-a-kind, passive recreational buffer allowing for naturalization and restoration throughout the integrated landscape.  

Williams Creek transformed former agricultural fields into vibrant landscapes to support local wildlife habitat and pollinator species, while creating opportunities for passive recreation for Kimblewick residents. At the heart of the project is a community garden with raised planting beds for residents' use featuring native Indiana edible trees including American plum, persimmon, northern pecan, and serviceberry fostering an appreciation for native flora within the community. Williams Creek also constructed trails connecting the community open space and developed pollinator gardens, dog park, and yoga lawn.  Within the trail corridor and pollinator garden are 1,200 newly planted reforestation trees and over 5000 grasses and forbs, strategically installed in three phases to enhance biodiversity.  

The design and construction of the three neighborhood ponds is a testament to Pulte’s commitment to naturalization, incorporating emergent wetland species and a carefully crafted buffer landscape along the slopes. This dynamic environment not only improves water quality but also acts as a habitat for wildlife while creating pond fishery. In total, over 6,000 plants have been added to the pond area, breathing new life into the landscape adjacent to a previously reforested area. As the landscape evolves year by year, the Kimblewick project continues to foster a sense of community by connecting people with nature and emphasizing the benefits that come with passive recreation and improving our natural world. Today, the project remains under the stewardship of the Williams Creek Preservation Division, ensuring that this living landscape thrives for generations to come.