December Park Update
Behind the scenes with President Bill Tinsley
November’s cooler and mostly drier weather has benefited the progress at Bonnet Springs Park. The Depot, our team home for the last 4.5 years, has disappeared to the wrecking ball. Although there are many wonderful memories of design and committee meetings, tours, and the nucleus of the operations that were accomplished in the former repair garage that was made to look like an old train depot, it is a step closer to building Bonnet Springs Boulevard that will connect the Park directly to George Jenkins Boulevard. Josh, Heide, Hannah, Kellie, Carmen, and Bob have all joined me in our next temporary home at the entrance to the Park.
Starting from the north towards Memorial Boulevard, we have irrigation, final grading, The Jack and Tina Harrell Family Greenhouse, and the Event Center all progressing in a timely manner.
Tucker Paving has initiated the grading and sub grade for the Lakeland Regional Health Circulator at the crossing of Bonnet Springs and is working north. One feature that stands out is the boardwalk in The Jack and Tina Harrell Family Botanical Gardens that snakes along the edge of the pond system. Moving to the central portion of the Park, the tons of steel and concrete forming the pile caps that will support the 40,000 square foot Explorations V Children’s Museum and the Café are being placed by Masonry Systems. Utilities are continuing to follow this north to south direction to allow us to start planting early next year.
Looking to the north from the George Jenkins Boulevard Bridge provides an exciting view as the progress at The Hollis Family Welcome Center is obvious. Dixie Southern Industrial steel crews are delivering the pre-cut and formed structure to the site and assembling it to house so many opportunities for memories for Park visitors. Rodda Construction managers and the Bonnet Springs Park team have developed a strategic plan for the site with the intent of opening the Park as a completed unit. Although most of us are anxious to get 2020 into our rearview mirror, it is with great anticipation that we continue the Park’s journey into the end of this year. A special thank you to the hundreds of workers, leaders, suppliers and volunteers who have continued to work through this tough season to build this wonderful place to Escape, Engage, and Explore.
Leave Your Mark on the Park!
Get ahead on planning those holiday gifts! Looking to give the gift of a lasting legacy at Bonnet Springs Park? We’ve got you covered! Visit our site to learn more about sponsoring engraved bricks and benches. For a gift certificate, contact Hannah at hannah@bonnetspringspark.com.
Black & Brew Pop-Up Event Ft. Bonnet Springs Park
Next week, Bonnet Springs Park comes to you.
Join us at our Black & Brew pop-up event for a week full of fun! From December 7 to 11, learn more about Bonnet Springs Park, enter to win prizes, take pictures with our new bench, and support local small business. We will be giving away BSP merchandise like the ones in the image below!
Give a Charitable Annual Gift to Bonnet Springs Park
If you are looking to make a charitable annual gift before the end of the year, consider the variety of giving opportunities available at Bonnet Springs Park! Since we are a registered not-for-profit 501(c)(3), all gifts made to the Park are tax-deductible as allowed by law. Your support will enable us to enrich our community through nature, culture, recreation, and education while offering public spaces that serve the needs of many. Thank you for being a part of this journey!
With your generous contributions and endless support, we can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for Bonnet Springs Park. You can donate through our text-to-give campaign by texting ‘EXPLORE’ to 501-55 or through our website.
Give a Gift of Friendship!
As a Founding Friend, help us grow our membership! A Founding Friends annual household membership is ONLY $30.00. It also makes a great gift!
Give a Founding Friends membership as a birthday, graduation or wedding gift! Be an advocate for the park and be sure to tell people everywhere that you go about the great work that is being done to bring this amazing resource to the community. There are still so many people who haven’t yet heard about Bonnet Springs. Be sure to tell your friends, acquaintances, co-workers and fellow members at the organizations where you belong, such as PTA, sports teams, church groups, social and civic clubs to go to www.bonnetspringspark.com and become a Founding Friend!
Founding Friends is a unique group of individuals and families who have demonstrated their support of Bonnet Springs Park prior to the Grand Opening.
