- April 3, 2025
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10th grader Zoey Silver of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band participates in a dance performance.
Photo by Ian SwabyAbraham Evaristo, 6, Bonnie Cruchfeld and Jayvion Robinson, 9, work on an craft project.
Photo by Ian SwabyCaroline Muller and her cousin Abraham Evaristo, 6, add to the community canvas.
Photo by Ian SwabySarasota's Mike DeFreeuw, president of Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida, and past president Dawn Dayringer, brought along Scottish Terriers Aretha and Wally.
Photo by Ian Swaby10th graders Rachel Leeper and Addie Ross of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band participates in a dance performance.
Photo by Ian SwabyScott Richards, of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum, beats his bass drum.
Photo by Ian SwabyPam Gates and Penny Durham of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum perform for attendees.
Photo by Ian SwabyBill Mullen, who is originally from Dundee, Scotland, offers a song performance.
Photo by Ian SwabyLynn Elkes, the event chair and Kelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association, stand beside the newly planted oak tree, the park's centennial tree.
Photo by Ian SwabyWalter Meixner and Tim Schaver of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum perform for attendees.
Photo by Ian SwabyMarty Gworek and his wife Amanda Gworek watch a performance.
Photo by Ian SwabyAttendees had the chance to create arts and crafts.
Photo by Ian SwabyDeborah Dennis and Cassandra Calo of Blue Skye Pipe and Drums help celebrate the occasion.
Photo by Ian Swaby10th grader Addie Ross of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band dances.
Photo by Ian SwabyKaren Patterson of Yellow Springs, Ohio, plays the cello.
Photo by Ian SwabyAttendees had the chance to add to a collective canvas painting.
Photo by Ian Swaby12th graders Danny Alendar and Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, plays the bagpipes.
Photo by Ian SwabyBeverly Scott holds a notice for a meeting of the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Associaiton from the year of its founding in 1983.
Photo by Ian SwabyKelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association, poses with Jerry Fogle, director of parks and recreation with the City of Sarasota.
Photo by Ian Swaby12th grader Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, plays the bagpipes.
Photo by Ian SwabyFree trees were given away at the event.
Photo by Ian SwabyMatt and Colleen Cunningham attended with their Welsh Corgis Lulu and Chapo, and their Old English Sheepdog Stella.
Photo by Ian SwabyLynn Elkes, the event chair; Linda Holland, vice president of the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association, Kelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association; residents Steve Suau and Paul O'Connell and Holland's sister Trish Schunney, gather together.
Photo by Ian SwabyAlexander Thompson of Sunshine Community Compost staffed a table beside the park's composting bins.
Photo by Ian SwabyBrittany Gomez dyes the beard of Bonnie Cruchfeld.
Photo by Ian SwabyHistorical materials collected by Linda Holland are on display, including a 1983 history magazine about Einstein's 1950 visit to Sarasota.
Photo by Ian SwabyGillespie Park recently received the honor of a historical marker, which was dedicated by Sarasota County on March 7.
However, on March 29, it celebrated an additional milestone — its 100th anniversary.
Event Chair Lynn Elkes said the Gillespie Park Centennial Celebration showed the park and neighborhood had stood the test of time.
The event, organized by the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Association, honored Sarasota's Scottish roots and the city's founding of a Scottish community led by John Hamilton Gillespie, who served as its first mayor.
Held at the park, the celebration included live performances by artists such as the Riverview High School Kiltie Band and Lion Rampart Pipe and Drum; stations offering projects, activities, displays and more; and a free tree giveaway by the City of Sarasota.
It also drew 25 volunteers, said Kelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association.
"It's a very active neighborhood," Brown said. "A lot of people know each other. A lot of people get involved. When something needs to be done for the neighborhood, we band together to make it happen."
