Friends of the Parks by Glenda Mink

From Butterflies to Bike Rides and Beautiful Snags to Tram Tours

From butterflies to bike rides and beautiful snags to tram tours, Polk’s Nature Discovery Center at the Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland, has something exciting for everyone in September.
Sunday, September 5
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Discovery Kids
Designed for kids of all ages, please join us for an exciting activity and craft [...]

Young American Dreamers Add Finishing Touches to Lake Blue Park

Early on a hot Saturday morning while most were sleeping in, a group of young people organized as “Young American Dreamers” gathered at Lake Blue Park and Boat Ramp to plant trees and shrubs for the park’s Grand Opening, scheduled for Saturday, August 21 from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  In less than two and one-half hours, [...]

Lake Deer Boat Ramp Re-Opens Today

Polk County’s Lake Deer Boat Ramp located on 33rd Street NW in Winter Haven re-opens to the public today, less than two weeks after being closed August 2 for repairs.  The ramp on 33rd Street (Lat/Lon Coordinates: 280130/814549) is one of two ramps on the 123-acre Lake Deer.
Bracelet linkage in the old style ramp was [...]

Lake Deer Boat Ramp Closes August 2 for Repairs

The Lake Deer boat ramp will be closed for repairs beginning Monday, August 2, 2010. Weather conditions may impact the completion date.  Re-opening of the ramp for public use will be posted on Central Florida Online.  The Lake Deer boat ramp is located on 33rd Street N.W. in Winter Haven.  For more information, contact James [...]

Calling All Friends for Public Lakes Access

Marian Ryan, president of the Friends of the Parks Foundation, announced formation of the Foundation’s most recent sub-committee at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday.  In attendance to accept a Proclamation recognizing July as National Parks and Recreation Month, Ryan openly invited citizens to join the newly envisioned Friends for Public Lakes Access [...]

Late Charles E. Tucker Recognized

Board of County Commissioners honored the late Charles E. Tucker with a plaque presentation to his wife, Susan, in recognition of his service to the citizens of Polk County as a member of the Lakes Access Advisory Committee.  Other family members in attendance included one son and three grandchildren; long-time friend David Hoy and fellow [...]

July is National Parks and Recreation Month

As part of a nation-wide celebration, Polk County Board of County Commissioners signed a Proclamation extolling the endless benefits of parks and recreation at its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday.  Marian Ryan, president of Friends of the Parks Foundation and Bob Wiedrich, chair of the Polk Leisure Services Association (PLSA) and also a Foundation board [...]

Date Change for Wildflower Hike at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center

The date has been changed for Wildflower Hike. The original date was set for Saturday, July 24, however the date has been changed to Saturday, July 31, starting at the same time as scheduled, 9 a.m. The hike is limited to 15 visitors and sign up is important.
Take a hike with an expert to discover the [...]

Florida Wildlife Federation Recognizes Ryans

The Florida Wildlife Federation honored John and Marian Ryan of Winter Haven with the 2010 FWF Stewardship Award for their tremendous efforts on behalf of Florida, her citizens and her environment at the Federation’s 73rd Annual Conservation Awards Banquet.
For over two decades, John and Marian Ryan have vigorously pursued the environmental enhancement not only of their community in [...]

Is that snake poisonous?

What do I do if I see a snake?  These questions and more will be answered by Scott Spaulding, Saturday, July 10 as he presents “Snakes of Polk County” from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., in the Workshop at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road, Lakeland.  
Scott Spaulding’s informative presentation explores the different types of [...]

Polk’s Nature Discovery Center’s Hosts Florida Culture Lecture Series

Polk’s Nature Discovery Center’s Hosts Florida Culture Lecture Series #3 by Tom Freeman Saturday, June 26, from 10 to 11 a.m. Bird life along the Kissimmee River Valley with a Poem written by Tom Freeman with emphasis on Ichabod, a Great White American Egret. Program designed for kids and adults.  Located in the Classroom
Then from [...]

Banana Lake Boat Ramp Re-Opens

Polk County’s public boat ramp on Banana Lake will officially re-open Friday, June 25,  just one week after unsafe conditions closed the popular boating access.  The ramp was temporarily closed on June 18 for repairs, needed as a result of erosion underneath the boat ramp approach by the County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division.  All [...]

WANTED: Trekker Photos for 2011 Factsheets

Trek Ten Trails organizers are beginning to develop new web factsheets for the upcoming 2011 program, and invite trekkers to submit favorite photos to be featured.  Trek Ten Trails for 2011 will add at least five new trails and include all previous sites from which five may be selected to round out the required ten hikes for [...]

Banana Lake Boat Ramp Closed for Repairs

Due to recent erosion underneath the boat ramp approach, Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources Division will temporarily close the popular Banana Lake Boat Ramp for repairs beginning Friday, June 18.  The Banana Lake Boat Ramp, located at the end of Tillery Road off Clubhouse / CR 540, will remain closed until further notice.   However, the remainder of [...]

LAKE GARFIELD BOAT RAMP RE-OPENS

Just in time for the busy Memorial Day weekend, the public boat ramp on Lake Garfield will re-open Friday, May 28.  The popular 664-acre fishing lake in Alturas was closed earlier this year due to the condition of the ramp.  Beyond repair, the old ramp was removed and replaced with a new “push’n place” concrete structure, [...]

New Simmers-Young Park Needed Trees

A workforce of 40 Cub Scouts ages 6-12 from Pack 515 in Winter Haven gathered with siblings, parents and some Boy Scouts from Troop 515 for an early morning service project May 22 at Polk County’s Simmers-Young Park.  The new 80-acre park development, which offically opened in February, needed a few trees so the scouts commemorated the centennial [...]

Explore “Alien Invaders” at the Circle B Bar Reserve

Designed especially for kids and adults, please join us for exciting activities and crafts as we explore “Alien Invaders” at the Circle B Bar Reserve, Saturday, May 29. Parents are asked to attend with their children.  This activity is ongoing throughout the day.
Location: Polk’s Nature Discovery Center
Starts at: 10:00 AM
Ends at: 2:00 PM
Located in the [...]

Polk’s Nature Discovery Center Nature Tour (Tram Tour)

REQUIRES SIGN UP.  Tour the Banana Creek Marsh with guides who will point out plants, birds and history of the property.  Limited to 24 guests.
Space is limited; sign up at the reception desk of Polk’s Nature Discovery Center located in the Circle B Bar Reserve at 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland.
May 15
Nature Tour (Tram Tour)
Location: [...]

Kids Fishing Derby in Winter Haven

Kids Fishing Derby Saturday, May 15, at Simmers-Young Park, 5630 West C.R. 542, Winter Haven, from 7 a.m. to noon.
Polk County Parks & Recreation presents the Kids Fishing Derby. This free event is for ages 4-15. Day of Event Registration and Check-In begin at 7:00 a.m. Fishing begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 10:00 a.m. [...]

Classic Games Night at the Polk County Historical Museum

 Saturday, May 08, from 6 to 8 p.m. bring your friends and family to the Polk County Historical Museum for Classic Games Night presented by Polk County Parks & Recreation.
This event for the whole family features classic board and card games and free refreshments. Admission is free!
The museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Bartow
For [...]

Native Plant Society Annual Plant Sale and Workshop

The Native Plant Society Annual Plant Sale takes place Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center in front of the Discovery Center, located in the Circle B Bar Reserve at 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland.
Start off the new season learning about the beautiful Florida native plants.  Support out Native [...]

PARKS EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED

Nine Polk County Parks and Recreation employees were recognized for a combined total of 69 years of loyal and dedicated service to the citizens of Polk County:  (front, then left to right) Tommy Green, Jr., David Pena, Jack Moyer, Tina Reynolds, John McKee and Gundula Williams.   Ron Lewis and Dorinda Seger missed the semi-annual staff [...]

2010 Trek Ten Photos on Website

State Senator Paula Dockery attended the first guided hike ot the 2010 Trek Ten Trails season that began with grand opening ceremonies of the new trails at Mackay Gardens in Lake Alfred.  Event photos of each of the guided hikes to date are now posted on the Friends of the Parks website for viewing by [...]

2010 Kids’ Fishing Derby

FREE to the first 300 kids who register, the 2010 Annual Kids’ Fishing Derby will take place May 15 at Simmers-Young Park, 5630 West CR 542, behind the Auburndale Speedway.  Registration begins at 7:00 a.m., and fishing starts at 8:00 a.m., ending two hours later with the last weigh-in at 10:15 a.m.  Polk County Parks [...]

“Blind as a Bat” – An Untruth

Bats are not blind.  This is one of many misconceptions Cyndi Marks hopes to dispel in her one-hour  “Bats of Central Florida” presentation on Sunday, April 25, 4:00-5:00 p.m., at Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Lakeland.  Bats actually have the same five senses as humans – smelling, hearing, tasting, seeing and feeling; and some have highly [...]

Polk’s Nature Discovery Center Guided Hike

Join Ken Williams on an exciting hike along the trails at the Circle B Bar Reserve on Saturday, April 24, from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Meet at the trail head (on boardwalk in front of Center).
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center is located in the Circle B Bar Reserve at 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland.
Sponsored by the Florida [...]

WAKE UP AMERICA – Mail Back Census Form!

For every 1 percent increase in the national participation rate by mail, we save ourselves as taxpayers $85 million by not having to send census takers door to door to households that failed to return their census forms.  Let me say that again:  a savings of $85 million for every 1 percent increase in the [...]

Benjamin – Burrow Expert

After a busy morning of finding active versus “old” burrows along his 2.2 trek of Lakeland Highlands Scrub on Saturday, three-year old gopher tortoise expert Benjamin found a little diversion on an abandoned railroad tie.  Benjamin joined approximately 30 other nature lovers at the 551-acre Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve for a guided Trek Ten Trails [...]

How Many Burrows Can You Find?

Trek Ten Trail organizers are calling all kids to join trail guides Keeli Carlton and Glenda Mink for an early morning walk in the woods at the Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve, 9:00 a.m., sharp on Saturday, April 10.   The Preserve is located at the very south end of Lakeland Highlands Road.  Parents and grandparents are [...]

Add Census Rate Tracker Widget to Your Website!

Have You Looked Up Your Community’s 2010 Census Mail Participation Rate?   If everyone across the nation mailed back their forms, taxpayers could reduce the cost of taking the census by about $1.5 billion.  
On the Census Bureau’s Take 10 Challenge Map ( http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/ ) you can track how well your community is participating in the [...]

Don’t Be Late for Easter Egg Hunts

Polk County Parks and Recreation has seven Easter egg hunts for kids age 2-9 this Saturday, April 3rd, at 9:00 A.M. SHARP!   All events are FREE and will last until all eggs are collected and prizes awarded. 
Children should bring a basket or other container to collect eggs.  Each plastic egg contains a prize, and some [...]

Trek Ten Trails Guided Hike

Travel south on Lakeland Highlands Road until it ends.  Lakeland Highlands Scrub is your destination.  Be there Saturday morning April 10 at 9:00 a.m., sharp for an invigorating and educational 0.6 mile walk or 2.2 mile loop with Trek Ten guides, Keeli Carlton and Glenda Mink.
Lakeland Highlands Scrub Preserve, 551-acres, is one of Polk County’s [...]

LUNCH WITH PETER RABBIT

Annual Easter Egg Hunts around Polk County will kick-off Saturday, March 27 at Simpson Park Community Center from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.  Children 10 and younger are invited, along with family and friends, to Jellybean Jubilee – a fun spring event, featuring lunch with Peter Rabbit, story time, cookie decorating, a coloring contest, and [...]

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