2-minute read
After years of planning, a big new park near Pipkin and Medulla roads is getting closer to reality.
The city spent $7 million in October 2021 to purchase 101.5 acres of land for what will become English Creek Park.
Now it’s asking for public input to shape how this new green space will take root in the city’s underserved southwest quadrant.
What you can do
- Take the survey by Sept. 14: Your ideas could shape everything from trail layouts to what features — like playgrounds, multipurpose fields, a fishing pier, picnic pavilions, pickleball courts, restrooms and more — will be included in the park. To take the survey, click here.
- Go to the public meeting on Sept. 23: You can review plans, ask questions, share feedback in person and help steer the design decisions.
- Time: 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Location: Cleveland Heights Golf Course, Master’s Room at 1916 Irish Pub, 2900 Buckingham Ave., Lakeland, FL 33803.
A lush canvas
English Creek Park will be comparable in size to Lake Crago Park and Lake Parker Park. The land is relatively flat with two separate ponds and a wetland area.
View a larger version here.
A preliminary rendering created in 2022 shows generous green space with indoor and outdoor amenities including:
- A library/recreation building
- Multipurpose fields
- Six pickleball courts
- Small and large dog parks
- A playground
- A pedestrian trail
- Two restroom buildings
- Picnic pavilions
- A food truck area
- Existing wetlands with ponds
But the rendering is just a starting point. City officials emphasize that residents’ voices will determine how the park actually takes shape.
The property abuts the Riverstone community. There are plans to have an entrance for neighborhood residents.
View interactive map here.
From concept to community asset
Although the city owns the land, turning it into a public park will take both time and money.
The City Commission voted unanimously in July to pay Catalyst Design Group $375,474 to create civil engineering and landscape architectural documents. These will lay the groundwork for permit approvals and phasing the project efficiently. It is being funded through existing impact-fee allocations.
The city has budgeted $1.5 million for Phase 1 construction, tentatively scheduled for fall 2025 or early 2026. That is in the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Impact Fee Public Improvement fund.
But it will cost much more than that to create all of the envisioned elements.
The public survey and meeting are part of the city’s application for a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grant. The grant could fund amenities like a playground, multipurpose fields, restrooms and walking paths.
Lakeland officials initially said they hoped to open the park by 2030, but they are trying to get it done sooner.
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