Imagine a park where you can stroll along a canopy walk under the oak trees, explore the nature trails, play at the brand new Florida Children’s Museum, attend a concert on the great lawn, smell the flowers in the sensory gardens, learn about Florida wildlife in the nature center, paddleboat on a lagoon, meet a friend for lunch at the cafe, host an event in the event center or treehouse, watch your children play on the nature playgrounds… sounds amazing right??
That is ALL coming to Lakeland with the creation of Bonnet Springs Park!
Bonnet Springs Park will open to the public on October 22, 2022 with a huge Grand Opening Weekend. Get more info about the Grand Opening Celebration and see photos and videos of the park at the links below.
You’re Invited to Bonnet Springs Park’s Grand Opening Weekend – October 22-23, 2022
Bonnet Springs Park – Lakeland and Polk County’s amazing new place to play outdoors – is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration October 22 and 23, 2022 and the entire community is invited. Free concerts, fireworks, art installations, vendors, animal encounters, and more.
Escape, Engage, and Explore at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland
Imagine a place where you can stroll along a canopy walk under the oak trees, explore nature trails, learn about Florida wildlife, watch your children play on the nature playgrounds… all right here in Lakeland at Bonnet Springs Park.
If you’ve driven along Memorial Boulevard or George Jenkins Boulevard in recent months, you may have noticed the large mountains of dirt taking shape and the buildings under construction. That is where Bonnet Springs Park will be located – 1025 George Jenkins Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33815.
Bonnet Springs Park will be FREE – there is no cost for admission! Unlike most of our other local parks, Bonnet Springs Park is a privately developed public park that depends solely on public support from the community.
Learn More – Bonnet Springs Video
Wondering how you can help make this amazing park a success?
The community is invited to join in the BSP mission to reconnect our community with history, with nature, and with each other. There are multiple opportunities to support Bonnet Springs Park at various giving levels – you can make a donation, sponsor a brick, or support the park for years to come through the Endowment.
The opportunity I’m most passionate about is Friends of Bonnet Springs Park. As a Board Member of FBSP {and somehow Vice-President – not sure who made that decision!} I have been part of the planning process for the past few years to create the Friends group that will allow us to support park projects and event programming.
Will you join me as a Friend of Bonnet Springs Park?
As a Friend of Bonnet Springs Park, you join a unique group of individuals and families who have demonstrated their support of Bonnet Springs Park prior to the 2022 Grand Opening. Take an active role in supporting Bonnet Springs Park at the ground level starting at only $30. (Yep – only $30!) It also makes a great gift!
While we’ve been open for Founding Friends memberships during the construction of the park, a new Friends of Bonnet Springs Membership Structure debuted on June 15, 2022. Join now to receive benefits starting November 1, 2022 – right after the park’s grand opening.
Membership tiers range from $30 – $600 per year and include benefits such as: bottled water, merchandise with the park logo, canoe or pedal boat rentals, free coffee drinks, and free ice cream!
In addition to these physical benefits, you will be one of the original supporters of this brand new park that our children and grandchildren will enjoy for years to come!
What is expected of you
Nothing! We would love for you to learn more about Bonnet Springs Park and share your excitement with neighbors, friends, co-workers, and family as you tell them about this amazing project. Follow along with the progress during construction, and help spread the word as BSP becomes a place for our community to escape, engage, and explore.
Bricks + Benches Campaign
For a limited time, you can also sponsor a personalized brick to be placed in Bonnet Springs Park. This is a great way to Leave your mark on the park and share your support.
Personalized Bricks are $200 each and include up to 3 lines of text. Bricks will be placed at the Welcome Center near the park entrance.
Bonnet Springs Master Plan and Map
To get an idea of the size of the park and see a map of the park, visit the Bonnet Springs website. Features of the park include brand new buildings like the Welcome Center, Florida Children’s Museum (formerly Explorations V Children’s Museum), The Depot, an Event Center for wedding receptions and events, a Greenhouse, and a Nature Center on the lagoon next to Lake Bonnet.
Outdoor features include the botanic gardens, heritage gardens, family lawn, boardwalk, canopy walk through the trees, butterfly conservatory. Looking for playgrounds? There will be multiple including the family playground, nature playground, and train playground.
This brand new park is located in the City of Lakeland, but it will improve the quality of life for all of Polk County and will be a place for everyone in Central Florida to escape, engage, and explore.
Important Links
- Join Friends of Bonnet Springs Park
- Buy a Brick for Bonnet Springs Park
- Learn More about Bonnet Springs Park – Visit the website to see actual renderings of park buildings, naturescapes, and playgrounds! Past Newsletters are also a great place to learn more about the park and see the progress that has been made. Be sure to sign up for the Monthly Newsletter to get updates on park construction.
Bonnet Springs Park is going to be a place to
• Escape •
• Engage •
• Explore •
Look for more coverage from Lakeland Mom on Bonnet Springs Park as we get closer to the park opening. In the meantime, I hope you’ll join me in supporting this brand new park in our community!
Now Open! The Florida Children’s Museum: Central Florida’s Newest Family Attraction
A brand new children’s museum is opening in Polk County! Learn more about the Florida Children’s Museum at Bonnet Springs Park in Lakeland. Adults and children will love this new space to play and learn.
Outdoor Activities Guide
Check out our full Outdoor Fun Guide for more outdoor things to do in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida.