Gillespie Park celebrates 100th anniversary

By Ian Swaby
| 8:30 a.m. April 1, 2025

12th grader Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, plays the bagpipes.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Gillespie 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."

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10th grader Zoey Silver of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band participates in a dance performance.

Abraham Evaristo, 6, Bonnie Cruchfeld and Jayvion Robinson, 9, work on an craft project.

Caroline Muller and her cousin Abraham Evaristo, 6, add to the community canvas.

Sarasota's Mike DeFreeuw, president of Scottish Terrier Rescue of Florida, and past president Dawn Dayringer, brought along Scottish Terriers Aretha and Wally.

10th graders Rachel Leeper and Addie Ross of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band participates in a dance performance.

Scott Richards, of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum, beats his bass drum.

Pam Gates and Penny Durham of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum perform for attendees.

Bill Mullen, who is originally from Dundee, Scotland, offers a song performance.

Lynn Elkes, the event chair and Kelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association, stand beside the newly planted oak tree, the park's centennial tree.

Walter Meixner and Tim Schaver of Lion Rampant Pipe and Drum perform for attendees.

Marty Gworek and his wife Amanda Gworek watch a performance.

Attendees had the chance to create arts and crafts.

Deborah Dennis and Cassandra Calo of Blue Skye Pipe and Drums help celebrate the occasion.

10th grader Addie Ross of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band dances.

Karen Patterson of Yellow Springs, Ohio, plays the cello.

Attendees had the chance to add to a collective canvas painting.

12th graders Danny Alendar and Gregory Pech, of the Riverview High School Kiltie Band, plays the bagpipes.

Beverly Scott holds a notice for a meeting of the Gillespie Park Neighborhood Associaiton from the year of its founding in 1983.

Kelly Brown, president of the neighborhood association, poses with Jerry Fogle, director of parks and recreation with the City of Sarasota.

Free trees were given away at the event.

Matt and Colleen Cunningham attended with their Welsh Corgis Lulu and Chapo, and their Old English Sheepdog Stella.

Lynn 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.

Alexander Thompson of Sunshine Community Compost staffed a table beside the park's composting bins.

Brittany Gomez dyes the beard of Bonnie Cruchfeld.

Historical materials collected by Linda Holland are on display, including a 1983 history magazine about Einstein's 1950 visit to Sarasota.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.