County to Build $6.4 Million Environmental Center at Circle B Bar Ranch

Posted by Bob Gernert on March 7, 2007 at 12:04 pm

Construction is about to begin on a $6.4 million Environmental Education Center at the Circle B Bar Reserve on Lake Hancock.

Polk County officials will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on Friday, March 9th at 10:00 AM. The official name of the center will be revealed at the ceremony.

The Circle B Bar Preserve was jointly purchased in 2000 by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Polk County Environmental Lands Program. This parcel plays a key role in the preservation efforts of the Upper Peace River/Lake Hancock system. Construction should be completed in approximately 18 months. This project represents a key investment in preservation of both green space and environmentally sensitive land.

Research is clear, Central Floridian’s feel that preservation of habitat is key to responsible growth.

Give us your thoughts on this major commitment to such preservation.

Bond Clinic

See other entries filed in: Parks and Green Space

REMARKS   5 Total remarks on this post. Add your own remarks below

  • March 8th, 2007 at 3:56 am
    Brad Peck

    This is great. We need more parks… Bike paths… and recreation… Of course, thats why I am here…

  • September 20th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
    Ben Carlton

    I am baffled as to why there is a need for a nature discovery center in the midst of 1200 acres of natural Florida. Why is it that we feel the need to alter every natural area that we protect in Polk County? There is no need for this 6.4 Million dollar waste of taxes and travesty against nature. Has it not occurred to the committee that, perhaps, the land is more beautiful the way that it is? That adding these buildings is likely to scare away much of the wildlife that helps define the beauty of this preserve? Heavy machinery tends to do that. Also, one of the only preserves in Lakeland is now pointlessly closed for 18 months. I am appalled by this decision.

  • October 4th, 2007 at 10:26 am
    Pat Wilson-Weaver

    I am so appalled to find these plans to destroy the most beautiful and bucolic pristine area I have ever had the pleasure to encounter. We visited this place numerous times with our bikes and cameras before all the earth movers were unloaded. Have you actually visited this property?!! Nothing like it exists in the whole State of Florida. We make it our hobby to visit all parks and recreation areas around the State of Florida. I’m so upset about losing this pristine property to ‘improvements’ I could just cry. What a pittying shame and a waste of money and resources. It could have been the jewel in the crown of Polk County but now will only be another misquided version of modern advancement. I am heartbroken for every man, woman and child who has missed the best nature preserve ever opened to the public.

  • October 22nd, 2007 at 11:58 am
    John Kohler

    Photographers, such as myself, and naturalist alike, that I have talked to, cannot understand the waste of money and removal from public use for such a long time of this land. In it’s nature state … it was a delight, but it always seems that some board of directors thinks it’s necessary to open up this land to the masses. History shows that it’s never the same. The wildlife will leave. Instead of a quiet, pristine area of nature beauty, we must wait over a year to see what we are left with. Consequently, we have no where else like it to go in the county. Those who make all of these decisions probably have never taken a tranquil, quiet walk in the early morning and heard the sounds of nature and seen the wildlife in it’s natural environment. It’s all such a pity.

  • November 9th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
    Belinda

    This project turned out wonderfully!! There is still a lot of the natural environment to see but now there is also a great place to take your children to learn inside and out. What a beauty it is and I am so proud that my children will be able to enjoy this childrn’s environmental education center. Children are our future after all and what a great place for them to learn about our environment. Wonderful job!

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