Waterside Park of Lakewood Ranch celebrates grand opening

By Lesley Dwyer
| 8:00 p.m. April 20, 2024

Kids cool down at the spash pad during the grand opening celebration of Waterside Park on April 20.

East County
Neighbors

Waterside 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.”

Sarasota resident Liam Reilmann hits his target during Waterside Park's grand opening April 20.

Venice residents Luca and Chiara Pignatora get a caricature of themselves.

Sarasota resident Jyselle Calderon, 8, takes a turn on the climbing wall.

Lakewood Ranch resident Alex Kasch, 10, jumps and backflips on the bungee trampoline.

Lakewood Ranch resident Miles Bliss, 3, tries out the bungee trampoline.

Sarasota resident Jeffrey Dehoff, 3, slides out of the bounce house.

Lakewood Ranch resident Sasha Frias, 5, climbs to the top of the jungle gym.

The splash pad at Waterside Park keeps the kids cool on a hot Saturday afternoon.

Easton Cruz, 6, is visiting from Fort Lauderdale.

Samantha Gomez and Rinda Duarte explore Waterside Place. Duarte moved to Lorraine Lakes from Connecticut a week ago.

Tents line one side of the park to offer face painting, balloon animals, caricatures and music lessons.

School of Rock instructor Drew Jagos hands over the drum sticks to 4-year-old Gianna Panarella.

Frances Kozma, Grace Martin, Rafael Gunderson, George Kozma and John Martin strike a pose in Waterside Park.

The Jessie Daniels Band provides the music for the grand opening.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.