City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation Reopening Limited Amenities on April 2nd
City Commission Voted to Open Trails and Other Facilities
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.
Tennis Courts & outdoor Pickleball Courts (Open Dawn to Dusk)
- Lake Parker Park
- Woodlake Park
- Simpson Park – Tennis Courts & trail only
- Kelly Recreation Complex –tennis & outdoor Pickleball courts only
- Beerman Family Tennis Center - (Parking lot for the tennis courts and walking path will be in the northside parking lot off of Southington)
Cleveland Heights Golf Course
The following operations will be adjusted to encourage compliance of hygiene and social distancing recommendations:
- Pro shop will be closed to walk-in access
- All transactions will take place through an exterior window
- The attendant will wear gloves at all times
- Separation between customer and attendant, and each customer standing in line
- Credit, debit, and cash will all be accepted
- All picnic tables from the downstairs will be removed
- Upstairs is closed off so people will not congregate
- All starters and golf attendants will be called on Wednesday morning to see if they are able to return. If they are not, they will remain on the active list until the coronavirus has subsided.
- Starters will wear gloves
- Starters gazebo will be closed to the public
- Ball washers will be covered with trash bags
- No rakes in sand traps
- Flag sticks will not be removed
- Pool noodles will be installed in up so that the golf ball stays at the top of the cup
- 1 person per cart, unless they are a part of the family unit; then two
- Walkers welcome all day/everyday
- Each Golf Cart will be washed and disinfected upon return
Walking Paths, Trails, Dog Parks & Boat Ramps
- Three Parks Trail – open
- Douglas Cook Park – trail and dog park only
- Dog Leg Woods Dog Park - open
- Lake Parker Park – tennis courts & trail only
- Fletcher Park on Lake Bonny – trail only (boardwalk closed)
- Lake Crago Park – dog park and boat ramp
- Westside Park – trail only
- Peterson Park – trail & boat ramp access only (Boardwalk closed)
- Dobbins Park – trail only
- Jackson Park – trail only
- Publix Charities Park - walking trail north of Beerman Family Tennis Center & tennis courts only
- All boat ramps open
Indoor Facilities - CLOSED
Parks and Recreation indoor facilities and offices will remain closed at this time which include:
- Main Library
- Larry Jackson Branch Library
- eLibrary
- Simpson Park Community Center
- Kelly Recreation Complex
- Coleman-Bush Building
- Gandy Pool
- Lake Mirror Complex
- Splash Pad at Barnett Family Park
- Se7en Wetlands: The trail at Se7en Wetlands will remain closed due to lack of access through Polk County Parks.
Continue Social Distancing
The City of Lakeland encourages the public to follow the recommendations for social distancing and hygiene when participating in outdoor activities. The City of Lakeland has developed a dedicated webpage with a number of resources to help the community stay informed. You can find this site by visiting LakelandGov.net/covid19.