PulteGroup opens new dog park to honor Wesley Chapel Woman’s Legacy
PulteGroup’s Vida’s Way community held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 1 to celebrate the grand opening of Fudge & Rusty’s Dog Park. The park is named for Fudge and Rusty, beloved pets of the DePue family, whose ranch once occupied the land.
The community itself honors Vida Barnes DePue, who ran the ranch solo for over 50 years after her husband’s death in 1954, earning a reputation for grit and hard work that still resonates in Wesley Chapel today.
The DePue family transferred 350 acres of the ranch to Pulte Homes, which developed Vida’s Way with a deliberate focus on preserving that history rather than erasing it. From the dog park’s name to the community’s street names and overall design, Pulte built the neighborhood to reflect the land’s ranching roots and its emphasis on nature, gathering spaces, and outdoor life.
DePue Ranch itself remains an active cattle operation today, and residents turned out for the celebration, marking the start of many years of dog park visits and community gatherings to come.
For more information about Vida’s Way and the homes available for purchase in the community, visit https://www.pulte.com/homes/florida/tampa/wesleychapel/vidas-way-211210 ♥
