Lakewood Ranch, FL

Lakewood Ranch, a 50 square-mile master-planned community in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee Counties, offers a range of lifestyles, all designed with comfort and convenience in mind. Whether you’re raising a family or embracing the 55+ lifestyle, there’s something for everyone at Lakewood Ranch.

The size of a town, Lakewood Ranch offers shopping, dining, entertainment, recreation, arts, culture, and entertainment. The area was created with education at the forefront, with the intentional establishment of a strong network of public schools, private schools, and higher learning institutions.

Summerfield, its first neighborhood development, started and finished construction in 1995. Today, there are 22 distinct villages throughout the master-planned community, which even features an onsite hospital.

The community, the nation’s best-selling, multi-generational community, was established with 10,000 acres of open space, parks, and trails. To foster community spirit, there are more than 60 resident clubs and groups.

The Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club

The Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club, an award-winning, privately held club, is the jewel of the affluent community.

For golf, there are three 18-hole championship golf courses. Two of the three lush courses were designed by golf course architect and player Arnold Palmer. There are also two world-class practice facilities with expansive driving ranges. And, if you need a hand with your game, there are programs to assist at every skill level.

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Tennis is also at the heart of club life at Lakewood Ranch, with more than 80 leagues and 18 lighted and two unlit tennis courts. The facility hosts professional and collegiate tournaments, offers group clinics, and private and semi-private lessons. There’s also a junior tennis program featuring after school clinics and a summer camp.

Pickleball combines badminton, tennis, and table tennis, becoming one of the nation’s fastest-growing sports. At Lakewood Ranch, there are a dozen brand-new pickleball courts, along with clinics, leagues, and lessons.

Although golf, tennis, and pickleball all contribute to active lifestyles, Lakewood Ranch makes it easy and convenient to get a gym workout. The fitness facility spans 18,000 square feet, features dozens of pieces of cardio equipment, and four studios for group classes. When you’re done with your workout, enjoy a bit of massage therapy.

Lakewood Ranch also features a junior-Olympic pool with eight lap lanes and a resort-style pool. Plus, take advantage of a variety of aquatics classes.

The Main clubhouse at Lakewood Ranch is comprised of elegant Italian architecture sprawling across 44,000 square feet. Enjoy casual and fine dining, a private wine room, card rooms, grand ballroom, meeting rooms, bridal suite, bocce courts, a pro shop, practice facilities, and a 9-hole short course as well as a patio firepit.

The lodge, crafted with rustic Ranch-style architecture, this 30,000 square foot facility leans more toward the casual side with multiple indoor and outdoor dining areas, and a bar. You’ll also find a putting course, practice range, golf academy, and an event lawn.

Education in the Lakewood Ranch Community

Lakewood Ranch has an impressive network of A-rated public and private schools in addition to nearby colleges and universities, demonstrating how the community values education.

There are five elementary schools, including B.D. Gullett Elementary, Braden River Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Gilbert W. McNeal Elementary, and Robert E. Willis Elementary. Middle schools in Lakewood Ranch include Braden River Middle School, Carlos E. Haile, and R. Dan Nolan Middle School. The area’s high schools include Lakewood Ranch High School. 

The community also houses Imagine School Lakewood Ranch, a charter school.

Private schools in the area include Beyond the Spectrum, Out-of-Door Academy, Sea of Strengths Academy, the Pinnacle Academy, and New Gate Montessori.

Furthermore, Lakewood Ranch offers a total of nine campuses of higher education, including the State College of Florida – Manatee-Sarasota, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kaiser University, Manatee Technical College, and Meridian College are all close to home in Lakewood Ranch. 

Conclusion

Lakewood Ranch is much more than a master-planned community. It’s a network of tightly-knit villages built with an appreciation for resort lifestyles in golf club communities.

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At Lakewood Ranch, you’re near a plethora of recreation and amenities without having to travel far from your own neighborhood. When you’re ready to craft your comfortable lifestyle by design in Florida, then Lakewood Ranch is the perfect place to call home.