Posts filed under 'Parks and Green Space'
Posted: May 19, 2008: 7:35 am
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
| See other posts filed in: City of Winter Haven, Parks and Green Space
Posted: May 15, 2008: 8:27 am
Satellite view of proposed master planning DRI
City Commissioners, staff, Chamber and Main Street representatives heard a preliminary overview of how redevelopment of the current Chain of Lakes Stadium/Southwest Complex property is likely to proceed. The City actually plans to trigger a “Development of Regional Impact” study (DRI) on a major portion (approximately 200 acres) of the community’s southwest quadrant bounded on the north by Avenue O, south by the Lake Lulu/Shipp canal, east by Park Lake/First Street South and west by Lake Shipp. Local developer Tony Binge presented the conceptual scenerio involving commercial, residential and enhanced public access to the Chain of Lakes. City staff underscored that the plan will provide for all amenities currently found on the Chain of Lakes property including a new facility for Theatre Winter Haven, a new aquatic center and other recreational amenities. Public access to Lake Lulu and the east shore of Lake Shipp would be greatly enhanced.
The master plan being contemplated will produce land use guidelines including more inter-city in fill development of a very high quality as well as an increased emphasis on Chain of Lakes access and appreciation, connectivity to walking trails and downtown.
The information was shared during the City’s annual planning retreat where those present outlined a vision for the city both five and ten years in the future. The areas of emphasis included Economic Development, Community Neighborhoods, Lakes, Leisure, Growth and Development and City Services. The City continues to use the results of the “Our Future By Design” visioning document as a significant benchmark for planning purposes. The document was developed in 1999-2000 by a broad cross section of Winter Haven residents (approximately 200 participated throughout the process).
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, City of Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Cultural Arts, Dining, Economic Development, Parks and Green Space, Real Estate, Sports, Uncategorized
Posted: April 18, 2008: 9:40 am
Free Admission! Special Shows! Food and Merchandise Discounts!
Special Discounted Annual Pass for Chamber Members!
The Chamber’s May Networking Showcase morphs into “Family Night” fun as Cypress Gardens Adventure Park rolls out an evening of special shows, breathtaking flowers and food and merchandise discounts for Chamber members and their immediate families. The Gardens is hosting members and families from the Winter Haven, Haines City, Lake Wales, Auburndale and Lake Alfred Chambers of Commerce.
Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
Chamber “Family Night” Fun
4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Special 6 p.m. Ski Show
Special All New Animal Encounter Show
Botanical Gardens open until 6 p.m.
More than 40 rides to thrill!
Special “Family Night” Admission Tickets* available May 1 in Chamber Lobby while they last.
To obtain tickets:
Present your Chamber Advantage Card or your business card/or employee identification card with Chamber member company at Lobby Desk. You may only pick up tickets for your immediate family (parents and children). The Chamber reserves the right to limit quantities.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Cypress Gardens, Parks and Green Space
Posted: April 17, 2008: 8:49 am
The Winter Haven Chamber has two great events scheduled for next week. You can RSVP at the links provided below.
FREE Chain of Lakes Breakfast Forum!
Tuesday, April 22, start your day with a free breakfast in one of Winter Haven’s most beautiful settings … at the Lake Hartridge Nature Park (pictured R at sunrise). Sponsored by Killebrew, Inc. and presented by Mike Britt and Rashelle Selser of the City’s Department of Natural Resources the breakfast is complimentary to the first 100 people who RSVP. Continental Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 a.m. in the main picnic pavilion. The program will outline the our water resources and the City’s plans for a new aquatic and nature center to be built at the park. It’s one more step in the City’s quest to become a green community. Learn also how the nature park serves as a stormwater filtration marsh for Lake Hartridge. The program is open to Chamber members and the General Public. Free with your RSVP here.
Holiday Inn Hosts April 24 Showcase!
Join your friends at Winter Haven’s newest hotel … The Holiday Inn (200 Cypress Gardens Boulevard). Thursday, April 24 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. you can tour the beautiful new facility, impressive lobby (pictured below), restaurant and more. Enjoy great food, too! Shake the hand of the “Mystery Guest” and win $25. If you are this month’s “Name Dropper” chosen at random from our database you will win $200 — but you have to be present. Free to Chamber members and a guest with your RSVP here.
| See other posts filed in: Chain of Lakes, Chamber Events, Commercial Developments, Economic Development, Parks and Green Space
Posted: April 11, 2008: 10:21 am
The Third Annual Central Park Stroll was held April 10 amid picture perfect weather, beautifully manicured parks and ten new outdoor sculptures. This year’s Stroll was unique in that for the first time, one of the ten sculptures was created by a Winter Haven artist. Perhaps most exciting is the fact that Albert Kriston’s “Reach” sculpture (pictured at left) was selected as “Best of Show” by the judges and “Peoples Choice” winner from Thursday evening’s guests.
Reach was inspired by the astronauts who lost their lives on the shuttle Challenger.
The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is organized by the Polk Museum of Art in conjunction with the City of Winter Haven. This is the eighth year for the competition and the third time it has been in Winter Haven’s downtown parks. The City of Winter Haven provides both financial backing for the exhibition and the logistical support to install and maintain the sculptures. The sculptures are selected by a committee of area residents. This year’s judges included Carol Mickett, Ph.D., and Robert Stackhouse, Ph.D Artists.
The Central Park Stroll was sponsored by Cartlon Music Center, CSX Transportation, Food Partners, Haskell Corp., Peterson Myers, P.A., Publix Supermarkets, Inc., Raley Downtown Properties, Richards Fine Coffees, Tampa Electric Company and the Winter Haven Chamber Foundation.
The Chamber joins with Main Street Winter Haven and the City to present the Central Park Stroll. Those who voted for the sculptures last evening received a coupon book good for discounts at downtown restaurants and retailers.
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, City of Winter Haven, Cultural Arts, Downtown, Main Street Winter Haven, Parks and Green Space, Success Stories, Tourism
Posted: March 17, 2008: 2:49 pm
Gather your crew (of up to 10 people) and join in the 2008 Admiral Eycleshimer’s Cardboard Boat Races this Saturday, March 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lake Silver’s Martin Luther King Park. The races are presented by the News Chief.
It all begins immediately following the City’s Easter Egg hunt. Boats are built from 11 to Noon and then the races. There’s $200 in cash prizes. $25 registration fee. Rules and registration form here.
Register today!
| See other posts filed in: Chamber Events, Crazy Things To Do, Parks and Green Space, Transportation
Posted: February 14, 2008: 10:23 am
Downtown’s Central Park area will be home to the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition for 2008. For the past two years both Winter Haven and Lakeland have hosted ten sculptures but the 2008 competition will be held in Winter Haven alone as Lakeland has chosed to exhibit works by a single artist. The ten sculptures range from small and delicate to massive and imposing and include a bronze work, “Reach” by Winter Haven artist Albert Kriston (pictured below). The Outdoor Sculpture Competition is a project of the Polk Museum of Art in cooperation with the City of Winter Haven. Winners were selected by a committee of Winter Haven residents.
The individual works will be installed in the three sections of downtown’s Central Park by early March in time for inclusion in the Central Park Art Festival March 15 and 16. The City will join with Main Street Winter Haven and the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce to announce the winners of the competition and “People’s Choice” at the Central Park Stroll on April 10.
You can view all of this year’s selections here.
| See other posts filed in: Cultural Arts, Downtown, General Announcements, Parks and Green Space, Tourism
Posted: August 9, 2007: 11:05 am
Among the factors influencing the need for the CSX intermodal facility is the creation of a 61-mile commuter rail line from Poinciana to DeLand. myregion.org reports this is the first large-scale alternative transportation effort in the region. The creation of the commuter line involves moving the operations of the Taft rail yard facility in Orlando to the proposed CSX intermodal facility on what was formerly the wastewater spray fields for Winter Haven’s southernmost wastewater treatment plant.
To quote myregion.org, “Commuter Rail is the first part of an interconnected transportation system that can manage future growth, ease congestion, improve quality of life, enhance safety and mobility of goods and people while generating new economic opportunities for millions of residents, ensuring Central Florida is moving from vision to a reality and closer to becoming a world-class region.”
The “How Shall We Grow” visioning process conducted by myregion involved seven Central Florida counties including Polk. The process involved input from more than 20,000 residents within the seven counties. The initiative will conclude tomorrow with the unveiling of a Shared Growth Vision for Central Florida and we will present links to the findings.
Read the complete Commuter Rail article here
| See other posts filed in: CSX - Winter Haven, Commercial Developments, Parks and Green Space, Perspective, Transportation
Posted: April 6, 2007: 12:34 pm
Mayor Nathaniel Birdsong paints his trailblazing symbol noting folks can park their boats and walk the Chain of Lakes Trail as Community Services Director, T. Michael Stavres looks on.
City officials gathered on the site of the former railroad bed behind City Hall and ceremoniously kicked off the Chain of Lakes Trail project. The much anticipated recreational trail will extend from downtown Winter Haven nearly 4 miles to Lake Alfred.
City Commissioners each took turns with a paint brush to present their own “trail symbol” commemorating the event. From a symbolic “walking stick” from Commissioner Charles Cone to a “foot print” from Commissioner Yvonne Brooks the ceremony was a creative start for what will eventually be a $3 million public recreation amenity and among the most scenic in the state. The trail is projected to open by early 2008. State and local officials participated in the ceremonies.
| See other posts filed in: Parks and Green Space
Posted: April 5, 2007: 5:59 pm
And the winners of the 2007 Winter Haven segment of the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition are:
Best of Show and Peoples Choice: Guarding by Doug Makemson from Commerce, GA
Second Place:
Healing the World by Henry Richardson from New York, NY
Honorable Mention: Columns by Michael Chiarello from Bridgehampton, NY
The Awards Judge this year was Glen Gentele, Director of Laumeier Sculpture Park, and Aronson Endowed Professor for Modern and Contemporary Art at University of Missouri, Saint Louis. He determined the Best of Show, Second Place, and Honorable Mention winners from the ten pieces on display in the Central Park area.
The People’s Choice Award winner was determined through votes cast by the attending public at the Central Park Stroll held Thursday, April 5. Doug Makemson, Best of Show winner, was in attendance. Sculptors Albert Gilewicz of Amherst, New York, and Michael Shewmaker of Hilo, Hawaii, were also there.
Photos courtesy of Josh Hallett
| See other posts filed in: Parks and Green Space
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