On Aug. 3, Daybreak held their 20 year anniversary party and a grand opening for the Watermark Village. It was a huge block party with a street fair and over 2,500 people in attendance. In total there were 18 brand new model homes being highlighted. Nine of those homes were in the Salt Lake Parade of Homes. The community is celebrating their anniversary all year long.

“Daybreak was designed with a five minute rule. We like to call it the five minute life because there is a park, a community center, a trail or school within a five minute walk,” Elizabeth Gray said, director of Brand & Marketing, Larry H. Miller Real Estate. “This design is to improve the days and enhance the lives of Daybreak residents. We follow the smart growth principles of planning to make Daybreak a walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented neighborhood.”

Watermark Village is one of 15 villages within the Daybreak community. They currently have eight builders, 25 collections and size variety from a one bedroom studio condo to a seven-bedroom estate home. With nine different floor plans to choose from, the expansive menu can be overwhelming, but concierge staff in the Information center can help. Daybreak will also be building mixed-use homes and high-density, affordable housing.

“Most people are on their second or third home in Daybreak. We call it the Daybreak shuffle,” Gray said. “So, about 27% of sales are to Daybreak residents starting in a one bedroom condo to a bigger home, then downsizing when they become empty-nesters. Out of new sales, about 20% are for people from out of state.” 

“There are kids of all ages here, sun-up, sun down having a good old time, and Daybreak is not a gated community which allows residents freedom to cross the street and visit other communities,” Kara Allen said, information concierge for Daybreak. “And, within the diversity of housing available there are two ‘55 and better’ communities. These communities offer main floor living and their own clubhouse, own swimming pool and own pickle ball courts. This helps where they don’t want to be with the bicycle crowd so much.”

The first Swig in Daybreak has been opened in the main Information facility.  That has been really well-received by residents looking to stop by and get a treat before walking or biking on one of the trails. The walk around Oquirrh Lake is 3.2 miles long. The Loop is a trail system covering 50 miles throughout Daybreak.

Residents and a guest can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, or a duffy boat, which is the only motorized boat allowed in the two Daybreak waterways. The Oquirrh Lake beach club is where they can be checked out. Twenty to 30% of  the 4,100 acres that make up Daybreak is green space  They have community garden spots that can be rented for the season with water hooked up to it.  Personal yards can also be used for gardening.

Daybreak is also the home of Downtown Daybreak, the future site of the Salt Lake Bees. Daybreak Field at America First Square will host the baseball team and have the first pitch thrown next spring. “I can count on one hand the people with negative comments about the ballpark construction,” said Allen. “The only concerns we’re hearing are about the increased traffic.” 

As opposed to the downtown stadium the Salt Lake Bees are leaving behind, the state-of-the-art Daybreak Field at America First Square will be active year round. There will be a unique and fully-loaded family fun plaza with a bike valet. People will be able to check their bikes to be safely stored during baseball games, shopping or mealtime. A permanent amphitheater, Megaplex Theater, bowling alley and ice rink are also being built for further entertainment options. There are currently two Daybreak TRAX stops and a third is being built next to the forthcoming stadium.

“I’ve worked on the Daybreak project for 10 years and I feel like this is my little contribution to make the world a better, healthier place to live by marketing the community of Daybreak,” Gray said. “The love of Daybreak runs deep; it’s about enriching lives. I love the fact of what we’re doing in taking care of the land and state has been a force in making it happen.” λ