Our December co-op trip took us to Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. It is an enormous park full of activities for the kids and plenty of opportunities to explore nature. Sitting on 168 acres, the park was once a major railroad hub. After operating for more than 100 years, the railyard closed down in the 1980s. The property was purchased in 2016 with a vision of reclaiming the space for Lakelanders. Clean up began in 2019 and the park was opened in October of 2022.
While we only explored a small section of the park, as we walked around 2.5 miles, it was a delightful place. We started out in the upper playground area, where the kids climbed a rope structure and swung on swings. After a bit we crossed the lower playground area and followed the bridge across to the trampoline merry go rounds and a wooden pirate ship play place. After some more time, we continued our meandering walk toward the Nature Center. Along the way, the kids found a pair of giant oak trees to climb. Even the twins joined in climbing.
The Nature Center was a great place to explore. We learned about animal and plant species native to the region, some of which the kids already recognized and some of which were new to them. There was a live fish tank and immaculate models of other animals. We also were able to identify several wildflowers and butterflies that we've seen on recent hikes from the displays. We walked down to the boat house next and took a detour fording the creek, exploring it's banks. After the kids were fairly soaked, we took a tour around the boardwalk following the lagoon, where we saw several ducks and water birds. After coming back the kids checked out the tree house. Finally we decided to head back up to the parking lot and get out our picnic lunch. Afterwards, the kids played and visited a little longer before the parents all called it a day.
The kids absolutely loved the park, in fact Rebecca got so caught up in the adventure of it all, she quit taking picture about half way through. It was exquisitely maintained with so much to see and explore and shockingly enough it sits in the middle of downtown Lakeland. It really does live up to their motto of "Escape. Engage. Explore." My younger kids all wanted to stay longer even though we had already been there for 4 hours. I told them we would definitely plan another trip, after our visit to Alabama. Afterall, we pass within just a couple of minutes of the place every time we visit the doctor's office and I never knew it was there.
If you'd like to make a trip the address to the Bonnet Springs Park is 400 Bonnet Springs Boulevard. Lakeland, Florida. The center is open from 6 to dusk, and there are a couple of restaurants open daily at various times as well. Entrance to the Park is free.
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