In 1993 when Peter Ghizard moved to River Wilderness Golf and Country Club, a gated community in Parrish on the north shore of the Manatee River, he remembers his wife saying, “What is this? You’re taking me to the moon. There is no one around.”
Since then, he has seen the area grow, but the bias hasn’t abated.
“So many people have a misconception about us and don’t want to be north of the river,” says Judy Aarnes, a realtor with Coldwell Banker, who has resided in the community since 1996 and loves it. “Living up here is a wonderful experience, a breath of fresh air. We don’t have the traffic congestion, and you get more bang for your buck.”
Construction continues on Fort Hamer Bridge that is located next to River Wilderness. River Wilderness Golf & Country Club located near Parrish in northeastern Manatee County, is a semi-private, member-owned Club. This gated community has a gorgeous golf course, designed by Ted McAnlis, and is situated on 150 acres of pristine landscape, a part of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System. River Wilderness borders the North Shore of the Manatee River. (December 01, 2015; STAFF PHOTO / THOMAS BENDER)
River Wilderness was created in the early 1980s by Lloyd Sheehan, who also developed the golfing communities Imperial Lakes farther north and Imperial in Naples. He hired famed links architect Ted McAnlis to design the 18-hole course, put up the 27,000 square foot clubhouse, and started many of the subdivisions.
He invited a number of builders, including Arthur Ruthenberg, John Cannon, Anchor Builders and Najjar Construction, ensuring architectural variety throughout the neighborhoods. There are two enclaves of villas and patio homes in River Wilderness, but most of the 751 sites have family homes.
An early resident was golf pro Paul Azinger who came to River Wilderness in 1986. He first lived in one of the villas and when his career took off, moved into a larger home. Some of his memorabilia, including a putter, are on display at the clubhouse.
When Sheehan ran into financial difficulties in 1993, the bank took over and sold River Wilderness to William Vernon, a local developer of upscale housing projects. He finished the neighborhoods around the golf course, but a separate section on the Manatee River, The Isles, is just coming into its own, offering million dollar estate homes with private docks.
Today, River Wilderness is a thriving, beautiful place with lots of lush green space — nature preserves and scenic fairways. There is more Spanish moss dangling from the majestic live oaks throughout the community than tinsel on a Christmas tree.
Says Syble DiGirolamo, president of the master homeowner’s association, who has lived in River Wilderness since 2004, “My home back onto the 11th tee, but there is a lake in between. It’s a gorgeous view.” She adds, “I love the serenity. When I come in the gate, I feel at home.”
DiGirolamo is understandably proud of her community. “Our HOA is in really good financial condition,” she says. Starting next year, HOA dues will be $1,375 a year. There are no CDD fees.
Residents have changed over the past 30 years of the community’s existence. When Peter Ghizard first arrived, there were many retired business owners and corporate managers who were WWII and Koran War veterans. “A lot of club members lived in Bradenton and the surrounding area — dentists, doctors, lawyers and judges,” he remembers.
Nowadays, the profile is younger. According to a recent survey, more than half of the residents have lived in River Wilderness less than seven years. They include retirees and working professionals and families. “We have considerably more children than in the past,” says DiGirolamo.
Although joining the member-owned golf course is not required for home ownership, many residents take advantage of the amenities. Different levels of membership allow them to take advantage of the golf course and/or the 3,800 square foot Athletic center, four Har-Tur tennis courts, and a junior-Olympic size swimming pool. A social membership offers them entree to the clubhouse, its restaurant and a multitude of activities — art classes, a choir, card games and group trips.
Residents also appreciate the convenient location. River Wilderness is only 10 minutes from I-75. The Ellenton Premium Outlet Mall, Palmetto Art Center and downtown Bradenton are not much farther away. “It’s 45 minutes to Tampa Airport and 25 minutes to the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport,” says Aarnes.
When the nearby Ft. Hamer Bridge, connecting Parrish and Lakewood Ranch across the Manatee River, is finished in 2017, it will provide even quicker access south.
Real estate transactions in River Wilderness have been brisk. Aarnes who has sold more than 400 homes in the community says, “If they’re priced right, houses don’t stay on the market long.” She recently listed and sold one property in five days and put several under contract in no time.
The last 180 days have seen 32 homes sold, ranging in price from $285,000 to $511,900. Currently, there are 21 homes on the market, from $255,000 to $798,000, with seven pending and three active with contract.
“This is a very unique community,” says Aarnes. “We know everybody. It’s a wonderful place to live.”
