The number of acres of park land in Winter Haven — both developed and to be developed has grown from 347 acres in 2000 to 597 acres in 2008. A net gain of 250 acres in less than eight years. It is an impressive and aggressive program that has seen the city become one of two municipalities in the state (the other is Boca Raton) to set aside money annually to purchase lakefront property to preserve public access. The City completed a strategic plan for Winter Haven parks in 2007 and the following list is a progress report of where things stand.
For those who measure their community by its commitment to parks and leisure recreation opportunities, the City of Winter Haven scores high marks. The following review was presented to the City Planning Retreat on Wednesday, May 14.
Parks Both Planned and Proposed …
Lake Maude Natural Area
Acreage: 8.9± Amenities: Walking trail; playground; restrooms; picnic facilities; site furnishings; fishing area(s); parking
60% construction documents were reviewed by staff and SWFWMD
Comments (including addition of a restroom on the south end) are being addressed by consultant/design team
Lake Maude Recreation Area
Acreage: 26.07± Amenities: Tennis center; multi-generational center; shuffleboard pavilions; walking trails; playground; dog park; multi-purpose fields; restrooms/concessions; fishing area; parking; site furnishings; connectivity to Lake Maude Natural Area
Kick off meeting was held with consultant design team April 23
Initial work includes finalize full build-out concept, all surveying, cost estimating and phasing recommendation
Public input meetings are being planned
South Central Park
Acreage: 1.23± Amenities: Open space for events; band shell; spray-ground (potential); improved parking; site furnishings
Initial concept was created by staff and presented to Martin & Vargas for refining
Functional design phase needs to occur followed by construction/design documents
Pollard Road Park
Acreage: 109.6± Amenities (Proposed): Sports fields; natural areas; picnic facilities; parking; restrooms/concessions; site furnishings
Staff is finalizing the Request For Qualifications that will include the design work for Pollard Road; The RFQ will go out mid June
PCC Recreation Area
Acreage: 23.29± Amenities: Soccer fields (3); improved walking trail with fitness stations, restroom; stormwater retention; site furnishings
Staff met with PCC President Eileen Holden May 6 to present the plan; Dr. Holden will now present the plan to the Board of Trustees
Staff anticipate completing the engineering and design in-house
Downtown Trailhead Facility
Acreage: 6.89± Amenities: Playground; trail access; restrooms; concession; parking; site furnishings
Design team is finalizing the concept plan based on project budget.
Toddhunter Trailhead / Salvation Army Trailhead
Acreage: 3.96± / 0.82± Amenities: Parking; trail access; site furnishings
The FY 2008/09 Community Services Budget Proposal includes $135,000 for the design and construction of a parking area and access point at the former Toddhunter property located north of Avenue T; and $10,000 for the design of a similar facility south of Avenue T at the former Salvation Army property.
Lake Conine Nature Park
Acreage: 34± Amenities: Stormwater treatment; walking trails; picnic area; fishing pier; parking; site furnishings
This project is currently in design with construction anticipated to commence in early 2009
CR653 School Site
Acreage: Undetermined Amenities: Track; sports fields; potential natural area with trail; potential fishing area; parking
Staff met April 18 with School Board Member Margaret Lofton and Director of Planning Larry Helton to discuss a joint partnership for athletic and recreation facilities at the proposed middle school site on CR653
School Board representatives were very much interested in this opportunity and are coordinating a meeting with their architect and City staff
Lake Otis Access Area
Acreage: 0.50± Amenities: Boat ramp; parking; stormwater treatment
Staff’s intent is to convey the City’s property to the Lake Region Lakes Management District through a Cooperative Agreement
City and LRLMD will partner on the final design
City will pay for all tree line buffering with LRLMD installing
City will design and construct stormwater component
LRLMD responsible for perpetual maintenance and upkeep of all areas except stormwater
Inman Park
Acreage: 8.50± Amenities: Walking trail; multi-generational interaction area; parking; picnic area; site furnishings
Project is included in the 2008 FRDAP funding schedule; however, Legislature directed DEP staff to fund the entire list pro-rata based on available funds
Staff should get final numbers from DEP late summer 2008
Total Acreage: 223.76±
Small Scale Projects
Playground Refurbishments: WHRCC (2008/2009); Malcolm Park (2009); Girl Scout Park (2009)
Special Projects/Improvements: Rotary Park/WH Rotary Club Centennial Project
Wow!
Thank you!
I live outside the City Limits in CypressWood and would like to know if any of the propsed parks are outside thecity limits. The folks who live outside thecity limits endured a higher tax rate for new parks to be built, will we get the benefit of having new parks built outside the city limits as well? That would be a nice change to enhance some of that area as well.
I believe that for the City to spend taxpayer dollars on parks, the property must be within the city limits. The county is responsible for developing parks in the unincorporated area.
The recent announcement to purchase the Lions park on Lake May……..very scary area and not safe for children. Why spend the 700,000 for a park like this ?