Behind the scenes with President Bill Tinsley
Days are getting longer as summer engulfs Bonnet Springs Park. “We had a good day” is often heard as the construction team is scattered throughout the Park finalizing drainage, installing benches, landscaping, and installing cameras and light fixtures. Steady progress can be seen at the entrance of the Park on the George Jenkins Boulevard light where the final paving is taking place. The activation of the light is nearing completion. This will be a major milestone in construction that has taken over two years to complete and will be very celebrated by both our team and the Crescent Heights neighborhood.
In anticipation of the upcoming summer rains, final grades and plant materials that will slow the speed of the water falling from ninety feet of elevation across the property are receiving priority attention. As we move closer to control the drainage, the final step will be dredging the Blanton Family Lagoon. Janna, central Florida’s premier dredging company, is staging equipment in anticipation of this step and is providing assurance of quality water improvements that will enhance this ecosystem. Creative Arts Unlimited are putting the final touches on both the Watson Clinic History Gallery and the GiveWell Community Foundation Nature Center exhibits.
The installation of these exhibits over the next several weeks will ensure your opportunity to learn about the native plants and animals as well as the unique history of this incredible piece of property.
There is so much and so many people to be thankful for with this project. The final stages of any project can be the most challenging part of the journey, but that is magnified by the scale and complexity of Bonnet Springs Park. I hope each of you are enjoying this journey as we are getting closer and closer to the finish line of Central Florida’s place of play; a place for us all to ESCAPE, ENGAGE, and EXPLORE.
Behind the scenes with CEO Josh Henderson
It’s that time of year again. Hurricane season is upon us. Last year we were worried about the park as the site was mostly dirt, and erosion was a major concern from a construction standpoint. Things are looking better and much more resilient as we near completion of the Park. As usual, the tropical storm forecast says we will have a lot of activity this year. It should go without saying that we still hope to avoid any significant bad weather. That really has more to do with the safety and well-being of our community than it does with the infrastructure of the Park. We would like to remind everyone to be prepared and ready should a storm arise. We will do everything in our power to ready the park and pursue completion regardless of what heads our way.
Speaking of park completion, we have a lot going on right now. The Founding Friends opportunity with the Friends of Bonnet Springs Park is now closed. We will be debuting something new in July.
Excitement is building!
It Is About Time! 🌿
It is about time! October 22nd is opening day for Bonnet Springs Park. Stay tuned as we will be announcing more information about our grand opening over the coming weeks. We appreciate you following along on this incredible journey with us. We can’t wait to escape, engage, and explore with you at the Park!
Environmental Stewardship Achievement Award 🌿
Bonnet Springs Park was presented the Environmental Stewardship Achievement Award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection‘s Southwest District! The award recognizes the work that Bonnet Springs Park has completed alongside the Department of Environmental Protection on behalf of the Protecting Florida Together Initiative. Thank you, Sasaki, for nominating us for this award! Learn more about the award here.
High Speed Bike Trail 🌿
Picture this: It is a gorgeous day, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and there is not a cloud in the sky. What better way to enjoy the day than a bike ride on Bonnet Springs Park’s High Speed Bike Trail?! This trail is perfect for anyone looking to get their heart rate up.
Leave Your Mark on the Park! 🌿
Looking to leave a lasting legacy at Bonnet Springs Park? We’ve got you covered! Visit our site to learn more about sponsoring engraved bricks. Purchases of bricks purchased after 9/30/21 cannot be guaranteed to be placed by the grand opening. For more information, contact Hannah at hannah@bonnetspringspark.com.
Founding Friends Update! 🌿
Thank you so much for supporting Bonnet Springs Park prior to the grand opening as a Founding Friends member. All of us here at BSP are so thankful for your dedication to supporting our mission. As we approach our grand opening later this year, the Friends of Bonnet Springs Park will be evolving! Stay tuned for updates!
