Lake Wailes Park takes it's name from Lake Wailes on whose shore it lies. The land that makes up…read moreLake Wales was first surveyed in 1879 by Sidney Irving Wailes. He changed the name of Watts Lake to Lake Wailes after himself. The city of Lake Wales was established near the lake in 1911-12 by the Lake Wales Land Company. The spelling Wales was used for the city, although the lake is still spelled Lake Wailes. The park is visually stunning. Under old oak trees dripping in Spanish moss sit picnic tables. On the north side of the lake is a boat ramp. There is a fishing pier on the west side of the lake with an observation gazebo that offers a beautiful view of the lake. The 2.5 mile Lake Wailes Trail, a lighted and paved hike/bike path winds through the park for exercise enthusiasts. It leads around the lake from the south side to Kiwanis Park on the northeast corner at N. Lake Shore Blvd. and Cephia St. It should be noted that there are no restrooms in the park. This passive park that is perfect for a stroll or a picnic lunch. It is also a great place for bird watchers. Migrating song birds can be spotted in the trees in spring and fall. Around the edge of the lake are Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds. On the shore are Least Bitterns, White Ibises, Anhingas, Florida Sandhill Cranes and winter ducks. Common Loons inhabit the area in winter. The stately trees add to the old Florida look of the area and it easy to see why Mr. Wailes fell in love with the lake and view.

Lake Wailes Park is a peaceful and older park with picnic areas and a 2.5 mile hike along the lake…read more It also has a pier, boat ramp, basketball court, play ground, soccer field and more. It is open from 7am to 7 pm daily and is dog friendly. During my visit there was a large festival going on with lots of family fun activities.

South Lake Howard Nature Park is the perfect place to enjoy a walk. The 17.6 acre area was…read moreoriginally developed to treat stormwater. Stormwater parks help the environment by capturing and retaining stormwater runoff which prevents flooding in the surrounding areas. It cleanses and stores stormwater to recharge the aquifer. The pond plants removes pollutants from the water leaving it clean. Left untreated stormwater leads to algal blooms, muck deposits, fish kills, and other environmental problems. These ponds also attract a variety of wildlife including Florida's beautiful wading birds, alligators and turtles while providing a recreation area for the public. The South Lake Howard Nature Park opened in 2001 and contains stormwater ponds and infrastructure to help clean and filter the stormwater water from the sucrose's and neighborhoods before it enters Lake Howard. At the entrance to the park is a parking lot, picnic pavilions with tables, and restrooms. The first part of the trail into the park is a 1,000 foot boardwalk that takes you over the water. Further into the park are three paved loops measuring a quarter mile, half mile, and mile. At one point you have to cross over 21st West. The paved pathways make it easy for people of all exercise abilities to enjoy the park. As wonderful as the park is, there is even more to come. The city purchased an adjoining property which was the former home of WSIR Radio. They plan on adding more trails, boardwalks, kayak launch, play area, disc golf, an outdoor classroom and other amenities. Keep an eye out for the exciting new developments at South Lake Howard Nature Park.

Lake Hartridge Nature Park is located on the southwest shore of Lake Hartridge, a 433 acre, figure…read more8 shaped lake on the north side of Winter Haven. Lake Hartridge is part of the Northern Chain of Lakes that feeds into the Peace River. The ponds in the park act as stormwater treatment cells, Through natural processes, water is collected and contaminants are removed preventing nutrients and oxygen depleting compounds from passing into Lake Hartridge. An added benefit of the ponds is that they attract wildlife like alligators, turtles, and native birds. Other features of the park include a one third mile paved path for walking, jogging, and biking. There is a covered playground with a play fishing boat and several pavilions with picnic tables and grills. There is also a fishing pier. Dogs are welcome and there water fountains and waste clean bag stations. This charming park makes you feel far removed from busy Havendale Boulevard. I enjoyed the walking path and interpretative signs informing about the different plants and animals that live around the lake. This beautiful park is the perfect spot to bird watch, take the kids to play, exercise, and picnic. I especially love the lake view which is so peaceful and serene.

East Central Park is a massive 45 acre park in Dundee, Florida. Located along State Rd 17, East…read moreCentral Park opened in 2000. The land for the park was purchased from the Goodman Grove Partnership in 1994 for $200,000. The county spent another $2.4 million developing it in phases so that it would have something for everyone. Surrounding the park is a mile long jogging and walking trail with 14 fitness stations. At the entrance to the park are basketball and racquetball courts. Each recreation area has either its own bathrooms or concession stands. At opposite ends of the park are football and soccer fields. Other amenities include four baseball fields, two volleyball courts, two tennis courts, five horseshoe pits, seven small picnic pavilions and one large group pavilion available for rental, and two playgrounds with a rubberized surface. The football field is named after the late Teresa Beasley, a volunteer who helped establish a youth football league in Dundee. Pine trees and palmetto trees are scattered throughout the park offering welcome shade. I stopped by the park because they had some vendors for the 39 Mile Lake Wales Scenic Ridge Yard Sale. It was not an official stop but scattered between the official yard sales are many of these unofficial sites. Also going on in the park on the day I stopped was the annual harvest festival. This large and spacious park had more than enough room to host a sale and the festival with it's numerous tents, bounce houses, and demonstrations. East Central Park is a wonderful recreational facility for Dundee.

The baseball fields are in poor conditions. High and low spots could be dangerous for players…read more Pitching mound on large field has a cliff where the rubber is. The bathroom was flooded all weekend.

I love these type of parks and I have been to a few across Florida. A town will move several of…read moretheir historic buildings to one area which saves them from being demolished and it creates a place where people can learn about the history of the area. This historical park was created in Homeland, Florida in 1985 and it was set up to recreate a community from the mid 1800's. The town of Homeland got its name from an Irish peddler who was passing through and said that the town reminded him of his homeland. Buildings in the park include:: The Homeland Schoolhouse built in 1878. It was first called the Bethel Academy. The name was changed in 1885 when the town changed its name to Homeland The school started with only 5 students but when it grew to 60 a large room was added in 1888. Students in first through eighth grade were taught basic reading and math so they could help with farming and read the Bible. By 1925 the school had been expanded to a L shape. It closed in 1956 due to a decline in enrollment. It is the only building in the park on its original foundation. It is also the oldest school in Polk County. It is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Homeland Methodist Church was established in 1875. Construction of the church started in 1887, 500 feet south of its current location across the street. It took two years to complete and it was finished in 1889 at a cost of $2,000. In 1946 the church steeple was knocked over by a hurricane. The church served the community until the 1970's. In 1986 it was donated to the park. In 1990 the church steeple was built back up to its original height. Today the church can be rented for weddings. The Raulerson Home was built in the 1880's by Mr. and Mrs. Blocker. It was originally located in Lakeland near County Road. The house is an example of what an affluent family would have lived in. The house was purchased from the Blockers by Daniel Amos Raulerson who lived in it from 1901 until 1912. After that they rented it out. The house contains two rooms on the second floor that can only be entered from a ladder on the porch. These type of rooms were meant for the farm help. This was the third building to be added to the park and it was moved here on March 25, 1988. The English log cabin was built in 1888 in the Winston area of Lakeland, Florida by Cornelius English and his brother James Jackson. It was as a family home until the 1900's. The building is an example of the earliest kind of dwelling in Polk County, a single pen log cabin. The house remained in possession of the English family until it was donated to the park and moved here in 1989. The Pole Barn is the type of outbuilding a settler would have had in 1894. The building was added to the park in 1994 and it was the last building to be added. The barn was used to store farm equipment, protect animals, and store crops. The loft was used to store hay and feed for the animals. The barn was donated to the park by the English family. Tours of the buildings are given by appointment and several events are held throughout the year. In April they hold the Good Old Days Festival and their largest event is the Cracker Storytellers Festival. In December they hold the Christmas Notes Festival . Homeland Heritage Park offers scheduled tours, walk in tours, field trips, and their special even programs. Even though the buildings were closed I still had a great tour. Signs outside of each of the buildings told their history. It was so cool seeing buildings over a 100 years old preserved. I would love to make it back for an event one day.

Great small scale historical outdoor museum area. Free access to outdoor areas that are…read morewell-marked with historical signs. If you want to tour inside buildings, you need to make an appointment or peer through windows. Original school on original site from 1878. Small Methodist Church, one of first with stained glass windows. 1900 log cabin, 1880 aristocratic farmhouse, pole barn with some farm implements. Giant live oaks. Will take about an hour to stroll through it all. Great place for a picnic and peek back at the original cracker life in central Florida. South of Bartow, north of Fort Meade on 640. Signs are good to get there. Raw honey stand and "greens for sale" on the way in. Gotta love it!

We drove all the way to Circle B find it closed. No mention of it on their website so we…read morestumbled upon Holloway as we wanted to go for a nature walk. The map shows lots of trails, and it looked like the paths had been freshly mowed. We walked for awhile, but honestly it was boring. There wasn't anything to see so we turned around and went home. Maybe we missed something, I don't know, but when you have your heart set on Circle B and it doesn't happen, most places will fall short.

Went to Holloway Park to check out the disk golf course. Its has some difficulty in that it's very…read moreeasy to lose your disks in the brush if you dont have proper aim (like me...lol) but it has a great sequence to the baskets and well kept mowed paths. There are also hiking and jogging trails and pets are allowed on leash. There is 1 portable restroom on site and plenty of parking. Overall, it's a beautiful little park with a nice disk golf course but I recommend you protect yourself and bring some mosquito repellent or you will get eaten up out there.

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!

Trailhead Park is named for its location on the Chain of Lakes Trail. Opened in 2011, this well…read moreappointed and clean park offers inexpensive fun for the children of Winter Haven. I happened upon Trailhead Park during a recent visit to Winter Haven. Close to downtown, it was the perfect place to take a break and stretch my legs after the long drive. The park is a short walk from Lake Silver across the street. While walking through the park I admired the extensive playground being enjoyed by a number of children on the swings, slides, and climbing areas. The playground area has rubber flooring for safety. and the play equipment is color coded, green for ages 2-5, and purple for ages 5-12. Surrounding the play area are wrought iron benches where parents can sit and keep an eye on their kids as they play. Trailhead Park also has a splash pad that opened in 2016 and restrooms. This lively, family-friendly park has great amenities. While geared for kids, it is a relaxing park for all who visit.

This is such a cute little park to bring children. It is right across from the tennis center and…read morenext to city hall.