Join Polk County Commissioner George Linsey for New Year's "health hike" at Circle B Bar Reserve

A Healthy and Educational Start to the New Year

BARTOW – Those who would like a healthy start to 2016 are invited by the Polk County Board of County Commissioners to participate in the annual "Here’s to Your Health Hike" on New Year’s Day.

Commissioner George Lindsey will be leading the two-mile hike at Circle B Bar Reserve, which is one of Polk County’s environmental lands. The event takes place on Friday, Jan. 1 at 9 a.m. at the 1,267-acre park on State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) in Lakeland. The trek will take approximately an hour.

“Starting off 2016 on a healthy note is one thing, but there is also an educational component participants will benefit from,” says Commissioner Lindsey.

Participants will hike through the oak hammock of Circle B and along the shoreline of Lake Hancock. Polk County Parks & Natural Resources staff and volunteers will be stationed along the trail to talk about the reserve’s wildlife and restoration.

Commissioner Lindsey adds, “This award-winning reserve is designed to get everyone unplugged from their new televisions, computers, video games and other items they received for Christmas and get them out enjoying the outdoors and exercise.”

The Circle B Bar Reserve is recognized internationally as one of the best places to see wildlife. TripAdvisor in 2014 awarded Circle B with its Certificate of Excellence. Also, in 2001, USA Today recognized it as one of the 51 Great Places to See Wildlife.

Visitors will enjoy a stately oak hammock, freshwater marsh, hardwood swamp and lakeshore. There is also a tremendous bird population, including a variety of wading birds, waterfowl, ospreys and bald eagles.

This is a free event. For more information, call Circle B Bar Reserve at 863-668-4673 or visit www.polk-county.net.