Greenbrook Adventure Park reopens with a fun day

By Madison Bierl
| 5:00 a.m. November 24, 2025

Lakewood Ranch sisters Mariapaz Ritter, 7 and Analia Ritter, 12, got their faces painted by Akiko Graphics at the at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Mariapaz chose a peace sign because "paz" the last part of her name means peace in Spanish and Analia chose daisies because they are her favorite flowers.

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When Lakewood Ranch's Scheilla Calmon brought her 3-year-old daughter Ayla Antonina Calmon to Greenbrook Adventure Park, she was met with a surprise. Unaware of any sort of event, the Calmons were able to enjoy live music, face painting and extra activities that provided some more variety to their usual park trips.

"My experience at the park today was extraordinary," Calmon said. "Having a park like Greenbrook Adventure Park means a lot to me because my daughter is turning four and she's been going to this park since she was six months old."

Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted a Party in the Park on Nov. 22 in celebration of the new pavilion being complete and open for use after it burned down in 2023.

With the new pavilion also came a new Little Free Library, where the public (both adults and children) can come and take any sort of books that spark their interest.

Elizabeth Henderson is the founder of the Little Free Library Club.

"It represents our shared commitment to learning as well as the strong sense of belonging that defines Lakewood Ranch," Henderson said. "The new pavilion is amazing and I encourage all residents to stop by and while you’re there, grab a book!"

This specific library was sponsored by Arielle Monserez, the same person who sponsored the one that burned down in the fire. She said it was great to see a new one and dedicates it to her mother Irene Farese's memory.

Monserez's daughter, 7-year-old Millie, was the one to use oversized scissors to open the library and was proud to do so.

"I thought I was going to cut my finger straight off," the younger Monserez said.

Lakewood Ranch's Lauren Raleigh attended the event with her 4-year-old son Jaxson Raleigh. She said she appreciates family friendly events such as this one.

"With the prices of childcare or even going out to dinner, families need to be able to have things in the community that are accessible," Raleigh said. "Parks such as Greenbrook Adventure offer all families different dynamics and activities. It’s definitely needed to continue growing the culture of the community."

Summerfield resident Phoebe Newman, 8 and Polo Run resident Penelope Gouvna, 7, check out their blue cat faces painted by Akiko Graphics.

Millie Monserez, 7, was proud to cut the ribbon for the Little Free Library, but was also scared she would cut her finger straight off with the oversized scissors.

Greenbrook's Carmelina Goodwin, 1, was all smiles when playing with the sporting equipment, including the bright red soccer ball.

Lakewood Ranch's Ayla Antonina Calmon, 3, just happened to be at Greenbrook Adventure Park for the Party in the Park. Her mother Scheilla said she loves seeing all the happy families together.

Greenbrook's Benjamin Pearsall, 9, spends the majority of his time at the park making his rounds on his rollerblades. He says he loves to skate as it is a much easier form of transportation.

Akiko Campbell of Akiko Graphics paints a blue cat on the face of 8-year-old Summerfield resident Phoebe Newman.

Logan and Henry Smith, 5-year-old Greenbrook twins, enjoy the fresh air to get their energy out.

Greenbrook's Liam Martinez, 3, is eager to take home his Disney themed book from the new Little Free Library inside the pavilion at Greenbrook Adventure Park.

Arielle Monserez is the sponsor for the Little Free Library in the Greenbrook Adventure Park pavilion. She was the sponsor of the one that was there prior to the pavilion burning down and it is in honor of her mother Irene Farese.

Lakewood Ranch 5-year-olds Lilly Rutkowski and Zoye Rutkowski enjoy using their creative freedom to pick colors and stay in the lines on their coloring pages.

Greenbrook's Romi Mesilti, 4, Avraham Mesilti and Lauren Mesilti, 7, enjoy Spongebob and Powerpuff Girls themed ice cream bars from Myrtle's Sweet Treats truck.

Lakewood Ranch resident Jaxson Raleigh takes some time to chill on the swing after enjoying a blueberry flavored Sonic popsicle from the Myrtle's Sweet Treats truck.

Zack Pomerleau, a one man band based in Bradenton, provided entertainment throughout the event. He performs blues and rock, a combination of originals and covers.

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.