In March, 2011, Talbot Lewis donated a 42 acre parcel of land to the Green Horizon Land Trust. The…read moreparcel is adjacent to Orchid Springs at the edge of Winter Haven. For over 40 years Mr. Lewis collected and planted ornamental plants from throughout the state and placed them within a landscape he designed. He curated one of the largest collections of Chinese fan palms in the world. He also planted most of the other palms that grow in Central Florida. Green Horizon Land Trust opened the trails on February 23, 3013. They named this natural area the Michael V. Lewis Arboretum in honor of Talbot Lewis' son. Within the nature preserve is a 1.4 mile trail named in honor of Luther Parrott, past executive director of Green Horizons. The natural earth trail takes about 24 minutes to complete. At the trail head here is a map on a board built by the local Eagle Scouts. The trail was dry on the day I visited but during periods of rain it easily becomes muddy and flooded. The trees provide a nice shade canopy overhead and this is an easy nature walk for all ages and fitness levels.

Munn Park is located in the Munn Park Historic District, a designated U.S. historic district in…read moreLakeland, Florida. It is named in honor of the city's founder, Louisville, Kentucky businessman Abraham Munn. Munn purchased 80 acres of land that now comprises the Lakeland downtown business district. Munn Park was the first open space in the city. It was dedicated in 1884, as a town square. In 1889 the park was developed with sidewalks, a bandstand, and a well. Lakeland's first train station was located at the park's northern border. Early in the 20th century the park served as an outdoor meeting place. In 1910 the Daughters of the Confederacy erected a monument dedicated to those who died in the Civil War. Later ponds and gardens were added. In 1961, angular pattern walkways replaced the circle and a gazebo and fountain were added. In 1989 the park was redesigned to go back to the more simple town square design. The Confederate monument was removed in 2019. Today Munn Park is a great place to relax in downtown Lakeland. Surrounding the park are historic buildings, restaurants, bars, and businesses. I enjoyed sitting on a bench as the hustle and bustle of the city went on around me. At night the trees are lit with meteor shower lights. One of my favorite sculptures, Live Large by Keith Williams has found a permanent home in the park. During the holiday season the city decorates the park with lights and a Christmas tree and the park is used for pop events, food trucks, and farmers markets throughout the year. Future plans for Munn Park call for a shade pavilion at the north end of the park, restroom, swan themed splash pad, dog park, open lawn, gardens, and children's play area. The City of Lakeland has approved the new design but the city has been working on securing funding and plans for the new park have been moving forward slowly.

A perfect little park full of Xmas Spirit. This park is located in the middle of downtown Lakeland…read more Downtown Lakeland is a quaint perfect area full of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and some cute shops to stroll! It was also a perfect spot for many to be in the middle of the Lakeland Xmas Parade action. The Xmas lights spread cheer and happiness and Munn Park is a great place to bring the family for some fun free Xmas fun and take sparkling festive holiday pics!

McCall Park is located in downtown historic Plant City, famous for its annual Strawberry Festival…read more The park was named in honor of Theodore Jeffers McCall(1905-1991) who was an aviator in the 1920's. In 1929 he became a motorcycle policeman before going on to become the chief of police in 1939. He also worked in the street department, sanitation department, and the city jail. He served as City Manager from January 1941 until December 1967. During his time as City Manager he was instrumental in overseeing a 240 percent growth in the city. McCall Park is a .751 acre linear park that runs parallel to the east-west CSX rail line. It contains a restroom, gazebo, and benches for relaxing. The park goes four blocks through downtown and is surrounding by businesses, restaurants, and shops. The park is anchored on the east end by the Union Station Depot. Special events held in the park throughout the year include the Chamber Classic Car Show, the Chamber Bike Fest, the Main Street Food Truck Rallies, and other non-profit special events. In December it is the site of the towns Christmas displays. If you visit downtown Plant City, there is sure to be something going on in this charming green space.

McCall park located in z plant City equipped with activities inside the park. Hugh chess game, hop…read moreScotch numbers, gazebo, facilities, across street from Train museum. Memories to be made, beautiful place to spend time.

Martin Luther King Jr. Park has a long history of social activities in Winter Haven. In the 1920's…read moreand 30's is was the site of Florida Citrus Festival which attracted thousands including president Calvin Coolidge. During WWII it was a prisoner of war camp that housed 250 German prisoners. Up until the 1990's many local children learned to swim from the park beach on to Lake Silver. In May of 1988 the park was dedicated to slain civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. a monument was erected in his honor. Every year there is a wreath laying ceremony. Improvements were added to the park that included picnic pavilions, a basketball court, a trail, and a playground on the west side of the park. There are also restrooms, a recreation center, and an outdoor theater. Events held throughout the year in the park include community concerts by the Winter Haven Symphony Orchestra, Easter sunrise service, easter egg hunts. and the annual Fourth of July fireworks. The Cypress Gardens Water Ski Team puts on shows on lake Silver which can be viewed from the park. This picturesque park was a pleasant place to spend some time outdoors. I took a scenic walk around the lake while admiring the view of Lake Silver. The well maintained open lawn is especially inviting for picnics and relaxing.

Lakeland Highlands Scrub is a beautiful place to encounter native wildlife and plants. It holds…read moreremnants of Florida's ancient landscape. When sea levels were higher it was an island. There is a picnic shelter and portable toilet at the entrance and a boardwalk and gazebo over the lake. There are old phosphate pits nearby. There is access to the Se7en wetlands, a natural wastewater treatment area.

We've lived in the area almost four years and have only just heard of this place! Naturally, we ran…read moreright out to check it out. It's easy to find, free parking, no admission fees, etc. just park, and start walking. There's a great boardwalk over one of the lakes that connects some of the trails. If you keep going, it does connect to the Se7en Wetlands, as well. Check the map at the front entrance! I love a good nature trail, especially in Florida. This one is so quiet and peaceful! Not much wildlife, though; at least, not when we were there. We saw one pigeon. That was it. But it was still a nice walk. Note that these trails aren't paved and the farther in you go, the sandier it can get; like, thick, fluffy beach sand. Most of the trails are really well shaded, though! Also, leashed dogs are allowed but just know that if you connect to Se7en Wetlands, they are not allowed in that area. Very nice little hidden gem in South Lakeland!

The Kiwanis Club is an international civic organization founded in Detroit, Michigan, January 21,…read more1915. Originally named the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers. the name changed to Kiwanis in 1916, after a Native American expression: "Nunc Kee-wanis" which translates to we trade. The organization was formed to help people professionally and personally through business networking but has since grown to include helping children and communities. The Lake Wales chapter of the club was established Nov. 1, 1926. They raise money with a pancake breakfast every March and use that money for many events and projects in Lake Wales which includes a children's Christmas party, the Lake Wales Christmas Parade, a children's Easter-egg hunt, Terrific Kid presentations, and the physical and monetary support of more than 30 children's and community-oriented charitable activities including this park. You can find the Kiwanis Park on the south side of Lake Wailes. Park amenities include 4 picnic tables, 2 pavilions, 2 grills, ball fields, a playground, restroom, and skate park. This park serves as a gathering spot for the community to play, practice sports and team dance and cheerleading groups, and have celebrations. The park was very busy on the weekday early evening I visited. Like all of the parks in Lake Wales, the Kiwanis park is very clean and well maintained.

This is not open!!! The walkway is closed off!!' Only picnic tables available. And they were…read moreworking in the bathrooms that left a chemical smell for the whole area Lots of parking at the top

This park was the site of a 460 acre open-pit phosphate mine until the early 1980s. The land was…read moredonated to the Polk County Parks and recreation Division in 1984. The park borders the Peace River floodplain. This park is south of Kissingen Spring, which was once one of Florida's major springs pumping more than 20 million gallons a day. It stopped flowing in 1950 as a result of the flow of the Peace River dropping due to the increase of phosphate mining in the area from mines like this one. The park has a peaceful one mile elevated boardwalk that winds through the shady floodplain forest out to the Peace River. Along the way interpretive signs give background information on the 1,800-square-mile Peace River basin. There is an additional 7.5 miles of multi use trails for hiking and horseback riding through wetlands and scrub in the reclaimed mine lands to the west. The parking lot is at the top of the hill and there is a restroom and picnic pavilion in the park. The park is known as a great place to bird watch. Birds that have been sighted here include limpkins, winter ducks, green-winged and blue-winged teal, hooded merganser, gray catbird, blue-headed vireo, American white pelican, and eastern meadowlark. Raptors that have been recorded here are the Red-tailed Hawk, Northern Harrier, Sharp-shinned Hawk and Swallow-tailed Kite. More than 25 wood-warblers have been found in the park like the Louisiana Waterthrush and the Chestnut-sided Warbler. Peace river Mosaic Park is open 7 AM to dusk. Admission is free. This is a great place to get your steps in and take in the natural beauty of Polk County.

This family friendly park in Lakeland features a state of the art playground with unique equipment…read moreand three separate fully fenced play zones, a sand pit, a huge modern climbing apparatus, a splash pad, the Lake Mirror Amphitheater, a multipurpose field, public art and sculptures, picnic facility with a covered pavilion and picnic tables and air conditioned public restrooms. The children had a great time playing at this wonderful lakefront park.

Located at the top of the Lake Mirror Amphitheater, Barnett Family Park was cutting edge when it…read moreopened in 2004. The $2 million park was a gift to the City of Lakeland from Carol Jenkins Barnett and Barney Barnett. Carol Jenkins Barnett (September 30, 1956 - December 7, 2021) was a Lakeland resident and the daughter of George W. Jenkins, the founder of Publix Super Markets. She served as president of Publix Super Markets Charities and as a member of the board of directors of Publix Super Markets. The Barnett Family Park playground features a whimsical nature themed playground with climbing net and an interactive fountain and splash pad that spouts columns of water into the air at random intervals to encourage children to play. The park also has the Sunflower Preschool Playground designed for ages 2 to 5, a labyrinth, a covered picnic area, restrooms, and a multipurpose field. I really enjoyed all of the public art surrounding the play area. If you have children this is a must stop in downtown Lakeland. Whether you're looking for a place to relax, take the kids to play, enjoy a picnic, or engage in sports activities, this park provides a little something for everyone.