City of Lakeland to host public input meeting on English Creek Park

LAKELAND, Fla. — Plans for a new park are taking shape in Lakeland.

English Creek Park is the latest development the city is undertaking, but leaders are seeking input from residents.

The city is hosting a meeting for feedback on Tuesday at the Cleveland Heights Golf Course.

More than 100 acres of property will soon be transformed, right off of Pipkin road in Lakeland.

“We bought the property in 2021 with visions to make a recreational complex, possibly another library there, and then has a lot of indoor and outdoor activities,” said Kevin Cook, the director of communications for the City of Lakeland.

He said southwest Lakeland is a community that is continuing to see more foot traffic. That’s a major reason why there is a push for more amenities.

“We’ve seen a lot of growth, we’ve seen a lot of housing come online in the last handful of years, so that area needs a recreation center,” he said.

The city provided a rendering that shows how they could potentially develop the space. To make that vision a reality, they’ve applied for a grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.

The grant would help fund the development of various amenities, including a playground, multipurpose fields, restrooms and walking paths.

“Part of those grant requirements, you have to have public input,” Cook said.

They’ve done the first part through an online survey, which is now closed. Cook said they don’t have the results of the survey just yet, but he said there is a need.

“I can tell you right away, a lot of outdoor activities, pool possibly, pickleball, things of that nature,” he said.

Cook said the city’s goal is to see more people having fun and enjoying what Lakeland has to offer.

The public meeting is taking place from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

There is no timeline yet as to when the project will be complete.