LAKELAND, FL (May 22, 2020) | A number of City of Lakeland Park facilities will start opening to the public on June 1, 2020 with safety protocols in place. Park users are strongly encouraged to practice social distancing, good hygiene, and personal protection when using City of Lakeland facilities.
Parks and Recreation
LAKELAND, FL (April 23, 2020) | Lakeland was recently named a 2019 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of its commitment to effective urban forest management. Lakeland achieved Tree City USA recognition by meeting the program’s four requirements: a tree board or department, a tree care ordinance, an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and an Arbor Day observance and proclamation.
LAKELAND, FL (April 1, 2020) | During a Special-Called City Commission Meeting that took place today, the Lakeland City Commission voted 6-1 to close all parks following the release of the Governor’s Executive Order. Governor DeSantis issued a statewide safer-at-home order this afternoon as federal and local pressure mounted for him to abandon the county-by-county approach he had been implementing.
LAKELAND, FL (April 1, 2020) | Due to the latest data on confirmed cases from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) along with the input received from the citizens of Lakeland, the City Commission is meeting today at 3 p.m. to revisit their decision to open additional park amenities.
LAKELAND, FL (March 31, 2020) | The Lakeland City Commission voted to reopen trails, tennis courts, boat ramps, and dog parks during a March 30th Specially-Called City Commission Meeting. These and other park amenities were originally closed on March 24th as a way to enforce social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19. The City Commission after much discussion passed the motion to reopen some park spaces to potentially alleviate overcrowding in other public locations. The Parks & Recreation Department met to evaluate venues and determine which park spaces could be opened based on Commission recommendations. Even with the opening of additional amenities, it is important to note the decision will be monitored going forward and visitors must practice social distancing, proper hygiene and disinfect any contact surfaces. The following City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation spaces will reopen the morning of Thursday, April 2nd. Ongoing decisions regarding public restrictions will be evaluated weekly based on the impacts of COVID-19.
LAKELAND, FL (March 30, 2020) | At the March 30th Specially-Called Lakeland City Commission meeting to discuss coronavirus impacts, the Lakeland City Commission voted 6-1 to revisit earlier decisions and open walking trails, tennis courts, pickleball courts, the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, dog parks and boat ramps based on a review by the Parks & Recreation Department. The park amenities were originally closed as a way to enforce social distancing to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
LAKELAND, FL (March 23, 2020) | During a specially called City Commission meeting to discuss the impacts of the COVID-19 virus, a decision was made to close additional park facilities in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The following park spaces will close at dusk Monday, March 23rd until March 30th or until further notice:
LAKELAND, FL (March 17, 2020) | Parks & Recreation will close the Main Library, Larry Jackson Branch Library, eLibrary, Simpson Park Community Center, Kelly Recreation Complex, Coleman-Bush Building, Gandy Pool, Lake Mirror Complex and the Splash Pad at Barnett Family Park the end of the day Tuesday, March 17th (today) in order to minimize the impacts from the COVID-19 virus. The facilities used as voting locations for the March 17th Presidential Primary elections will not be impacted. At the end of regular business hours on Tuesday, March 17th, the listed facilities will close and remain closed for 30 days starting March 18th until further notice. Employees will use this time to perform business operations, routine maintenance, and clean facilities. The rental office at the Lake Mirror Complex will be closed to walk-ins but will be available for phone 863.834.2280 or email correspondence (lakemirrorrentals@lakelandgov.net).
This news item will be updated with Parks & Recreation updates. These will include City of Lakeland organized and sponsored programs, events, and venues.
LAKELAND, FL (January 30, 2020) | The third Annual Black History Festival will take place Saturday, February 15th at Jackson Park (1130 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue) from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join the community for a fun-filled, family-friendly day that will include performances, food, and craft vendors! City of Lakeland staff from the Parks & Recreation Department will be on-hand giving away free plants while supplies last. DJ King will set the groove while individuals, dance groups and cheerleaders entertain the crowd during the event.