We saw a lot of wildlife including massive gators, rabbits and a raccoon and tons of different…read morebirds. It was very peaceful.

What a wonderful, beautifully maintained, park! We were awed on the hiking trail we looped around…read moreon. The wildlife we saw was pure joy. There are interpretive signs, as well as warning signs (alligators, snakes, etc) along the way which was an added bonus. Although there was a huge number of vehicles in the parking lot, we barely ran across other hikers. The pathway we took, about a 2.5 mile loop, had minimal foot traffic. The paths are wide, wide enough for worker or emergency vehicles. We enjoyed this park very much and plan to return, albeit most likely NOT in the dead of the Florida summer heat/humidity. We are not that "adventurous" hahaha. We are very blessed with the County and State parks we have here, that's for sure!

Awesome hike. Just be sure to take note that however far you walk away from your car, you have to…read morewalk that same distance back lol

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.

First time came here, went for a walk, it was a nice walk, we could hear the birds.. I recommend…read morethis place if you are in the area..

Pretty scenic area. Saw lots of birds of prey, some snakes and deer. Enjoyed this walk lots. The…read morefull loop is about 4 miles with a fair amount of tree coverage.

The playground is nice overall. It has two sides: for kids 5…read more& up. And 2-5. It can be fun seeing the train go by. But also a bit too loud/close for some kids. Restrooms were smelly when we went. Wondering if it's always the same. Parking is great and so it's the shade of trees

Downtown City Park was created as a town square with the businesses of…read more Auburndale downtown built around it. The charming downtown area contains many restaurants and shops in historic buildings. Today the park still serves as a gathering place for the community. In 2007, Downtown City Park was redesigned to enhance its recreation and beauty for residents and visitors to the city of Auburndale. In the eastern corner of the park is a number of umbrella shaded picnic tables and an engaging playground that is fenced in for safety. The playground area has an artificial turf, cushioning surface to protect little knees and bottoms. The playground has a multilevel tower with climbing structures and two slides. There is also a play train which is a nod to Auburndale's history as a railroad town. Civil engineer Louis Randolph Mclain, who was working for the railroad on the extension of the system between Lake Alfred and Saddle Creek, is credited with founding Auburndale. The historic 1927 Seaboard Air Line Rail Depot is in the northern part of the park. The park also has restrooms and a historic bandstand with a stage for community events like the annual CityFest music festival and other events throughout the year. In the western part of the park is the Rotary Butterfly Garden with butterfly attracting native Florida plants. This well maintained and family friendly park offers a great place to spend time with family. Whether coming for exercise, play, or a special event, this wonderful spot capture the spirit of historic Auburndale.

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!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy entry point for a day on the river. Great time…read morekayaking with the manatees!

MANATEES ARE MAGICAL! We saw well over 30+ manatees on our late January kayaking outing. We rented…read morea 2-seater top kayak (comes w paddles and life vests). And from the staff to the dock hands, to the quality of the vessel and cleanliness of the shop: 10/10. A guide handed us a laminated map (nice touch) and told us where to head for manatee sightings. And even pointed us to a cove that homes a lot of turtles and alligators. We saw it all! They have volunteers overseeing the 3 sisters springs, to help monitor the safety of the manatees (and scold ignorant people lol). Great time! If you're unsure, let me assure you.. just book.

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.

The 40 acre Barbara Pederson Preserve was donated in 2009 to the Green Horizon Land Trust which was…read morecreated to preserve environmentally sensitive land and open space around the Central Florida Ridge while offering education to the public. The preserve officially opened to the public on December 15, 2012. This upland forest is located on Lake Annie off the Scenic Highway. The land was purchased by the Pedersen's family in 1940 and name Lakewood. It was left mainly undeveloped except for the family home. The preserve was named in honor of Pederson family matriarch, Barbara and the family protected their land from development for 70 years. Barbara's son Jim Pederson grew up here and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology/ecology. He wanted the public to be able to perpetually enjoy his mother's nature preserve. The preserve is the remnant of an ancient long leaf pine forest that once existed along the entire length of the Lake Wales Ridge. The pines are a remnant of ancient longleaf pines that grew on the uplands in Central Florida known as the Lake Wales Ridge. This heavily wooded urban upland ridge site includes what was once a five acre former citrus grove and 35 acres of mixed longleaf pine and hardwood hammock. There is 1336 feet of frontage on the Scenic Highway and 476 feet of frontage on Lake Annie. The preserve is home to endangered plants and wildlife that include gopher tortoises, wild turkey, great horned owl, bobcat, raccoon, limpkins, marsh rabbits, northern parula, black and white warblers, and coyotes. Bald Eagles and an occasional deer have been recorded at the preserve. There are two natural earth trails in the preserve. The North Trail is a .74 mile loop that leads to Lake Annie and the second is a South Trail loop that is .37 of a mile long. I always enjoy discovering a new place to hike. The Pederson family's gift is a treasured natural resource for the plants and animals of the Lake Wales Ridge and for the people who love them.