October Park Update
Behind the scenes with President Bill Tinsley
We are going vertical in October. The first loads of steel beams and structural steel are on site for the Event Center from Dixie Southern Industrial. This marks the beginning of vertical construction that will be visible from Memorial Boulevard over the month. Other progress on the Event Center includes the masonry walls to the park restrooms that are part of the Event Center Complex located as the anchor facility for the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Botanical Gardens.
Other exciting activity that is occurring with our first cool mornings of the fall season is the installation of the Bike Path. Tucker Paving from Winter Haven, our primary site contractor, is paving the ten-foot wide bike path on the eastern boundary of the Park. The future connection between George Jenkins Boulevard and Memorial Boulevard that does not currently exist will enable a whole new experience for cyclists in the northwest Lakeland community to connect north and south. Future City of Lakeland and FDOT plans for improvements at the five-point intersection are going to open up and connect trails for safe biking for those long-range riders.
Two major crossings of Bonnet Springs Valley are also underway. The vehicle bridge is part of the 18” wide internal circulator and the pedestrian bridge that dramatically crosses the valley at its highest point.
The Boardwalk along the eastern shore of the lagoon boasts of 2,070 feet of nature walk that is 80% complete.
Progress continues at the Hollis Family Welcome Center as Masonry Systems is also going vertical with elevator shafts and retaining walls. Tri-tech Mechanical is completing the plumbing and Moore Power the communications and power distribution in preparation for the slab. Steel is anticipated by the end of October or early November.
It is a wonderful day in the Park as the Rodda Construction management team and their subcontractors continue to progress, plan, and implement Sasaki Design team’s plans. We continue to build toward an opening day, when all the detail and work pay off as we escape, engage, and explore the wonders of Bonnet Springs Park.
Bonnet Springs Park Receives Major Gift From Blanton and Edwards Families
Bonnet Springs Park announces gift for Nature Preserve
The Ann and Ward Edwards family of the late Joe K. Blanton, a former president of Publix Super Markets Inc., announced a substantial legacy gift to fund the Blanton Family Lagoon and Ann and Ward Edwards Boathouse, set to open in 2021. The Blanton and Edwards families continue to make an impact through their generosity to many significant community projects throughout Central Florida. “We are excited for all the children and adults who will be able to enjoy this wonderful park in the years to come,” said Ward & Ann Edwards.
The Blanton Family Lagoon, named after Joe and Alberta Blanton was among the first of the Park’s features to be completed in March of 2020. The 6.5-acre lagoon will showcase the Flora and Fauna of Bonnet Springs Park, while the 2,600 square foot boathouse will provide a place to rent paddle boats or grab a quick snack. The Blanton Family Lagoon has already provided a space for wildlife to return to the grounds that were once devastated. Native plantlife will also be reintegrated around the Lagoon to even further promote a resurgence of wildlife. At the Ann and Ward Edwards Boathouse, BSP guests will explore the inlet or grab a snack from the café and enjoy the sunset.
To learn more, read the full press release here.
Save The Date: Giving Tuesday
On December 1st, Bonnet Springs Park aims to raise funds to continue our journey in building a park that will serve and give back to our community for generations to come. On this day, we hope to inspire you to give and celebrate generosity with us. We couldn’t build Bonnet Springs Park without your support and we’re so thankful for each of your contributions!
To learn more, donate, or spread the word, please visit our website or fundraising page here.
About GivingTuesday
GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses and communities in the U.S. and in countries around the world. GivingTuesday harnesses the collective power of a unique blend of partners to transform how people think about, talk about, and participate in the giving season. It inspires people to take collective action to improve their communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they believe in, and help create a better world.To learn more about GivingTuesday participants and activities or to join the celebration of giving, please visit:
Website
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We Have Walls!
We have some exciting progress updates: we have walls! These walls are currently being built for the Hollis Family Welcome Center and Event Center. The team at BSP is always so grateful and excited about each and every milestone we achieve during the build out phase and we love to keep each of you updated as this Park, at the end of the day, is for you, our community. Watching our vision bloom to life for Lakeland and our surrounding communities is a dream. Thank you for supporting our journey!
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.
As a Founding Friend, help us grow our membership!
A Founding Friends household membership is ONLY $30.00. It also makes a great gift!
Give a Founding Friend 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.
