- April 1, 2025
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Sarasota resident Liam Reilmann hits his target during Waterside Park's grand opening April 20.
Photo by Lesley DwyerVenice residents Luca and Chiara Pignatora get a caricature of themselves.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota resident Jyselle Calderon, 8, takes a turn on the climbing wall.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch resident Alex Kasch, 10, jumps and backflips on the bungee trampoline.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch resident Miles Bliss, 3, tries out the bungee trampoline.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSarasota resident Jeffrey Dehoff, 3, slides out of the bounce house.
Photo by Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch resident Sasha Frias, 5, climbs to the top of the jungle gym.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe splash pad at Waterside Park keeps the kids cool on a hot Saturday afternoon.
Photo by Lesley DwyerEaston Cruz, 6, is visiting from Fort Lauderdale.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSamantha Gomez and Rinda Duarte explore Waterside Place. Duarte moved to Lorraine Lakes from Connecticut a week ago.
Photo by Lesley DwyerKids cool down at the spash pad during the grand opening celebration of Waterside Park on April 20.
Photo by Lesley DwyerTents line one side of the park to offer face painting, balloon animals, caricatures and music lessons.
Photo by Lesley DwyerSchool of Rock instructor Drew Jagos hands over the drum sticks to 4-year-old Gianna Panarella.
Photo by Lesley DwyerFrances Kozma, Grace Martin, Rafael Gunderson, George Kozma and John Martin strike a pose in Waterside Park.
Photo by Lesley DwyerThe Jessie Daniels Band provides the music for the grand opening.
Photo by Lesley DwyerWaterside Park has opened in phases over the past three years, but the 8-acre island park is now fully complete.
The event lawn, exercise equipment and volleyball courts were installed in 2021, but the playground, splash pad and accompanying restrooms, pavilion and picnic area took more time to construct.
The playground opened in December 2023, and the splash pad opened in February. On April 20, Lakewood Ranch hosted a grand opening for the entirety of the park.
“We wanted to give the team time to get everything open and get the hours regulated,” said Nicole Hackel, events and resident experience manager for Lakewood Ranch. “Now that each part of the park is open, we decided to throw a celebration.”
The celebration drew hundreds of residents who were treated to inflatables, a climbing wall, photo booth, face painting, balloon animals and caricatures.
School of Rock brought guitars and a drum kit for impromptu music lessons, and Bricks4Kidz set up a building block area. Food trucks served grilled cheese, hot dogs, Philly cheese steaks and snow cones in the parking lot.
Lakewood Ranch also gave away a unique party favor in honor of this year’s 30th anniversary — an old-school viewfinder with pictures that ranged from early construction to the most recent New Year’s Eve celebration.
The grand opening was a warm welcome for East County newcomer Rinda Duarte. Duarte moved to Lorraine Lakes from Connecticut a week ago.
“I love this area,” she said. “I love the weather and all the activities for the kids.”
