The Green at UTC bubbles over with fun

By Lesley Dwyer
| 3:15 p.m. September 26, 2025

East County
Neighbors

Both the conversations and the air were bubbly on The Green at UTC on Sept. 24.

Every fourth Wednesday of the month, games and a bubble machine take over The Green for Gameland, part of the UTC Kids Club, a series of free, kid-friendly activities.

Kari Evans and Meriam Silva used to be next door neighbors in East County until Silva moved to Parrish. Now, they catch up at Gameland.

Their toddlers were happy to see each other, too. Damien Silva, 3, and Kenzie Evans, 2, stuck side-by-side most of the morning.

The pair were so preoccupied with the fishing station, their moms had time to finish their coffees.

The next Gameland is scheduled for Oct. 22. In the meantime, Miss Jodi’s School of Dance will keep the kids moving on Oct. 1 and Oct. 15, and a special fall-themed storytime will settle them down on Oct. 8. Bringing your own blanket is suggested.

The Green at UTC is filled with bubbles and games every fourth Wednesday of the month for the UTC Kids Club.

Friends Damien Silva and Kenzie Evans play side by side most of the morning.

Former neighbors Kari Evans and Meriam Silva drink coffee and catch up while the kids play.

Lakewood Ranch's Danika Hernandez, 2, stops fishing to fix her reel.

Sarasota's Octavia Azpeitia, 2, has her eyes set on a rubber duck.

Parrish's Damien Silva, 3, knows what to do, but he'd rather not let go of the basketball.

There are 10 play stations set up each month.

East County's Kenzie Evans, 2, pops up from the tunnel after a long crawl.

Gameland is a free activity with no registration required.

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.