Water-Related News

Polk Environmental Lands Opens Limited Sites

While Polk County Environmental Lands sites received damage due to Hurricane Irma, the following sites are now open:
• Lakeland Highlands Scrub
• Marshall Hampton Reserve
• Crooked Lake Prairie
• Crooked Lake Sandhill
• Hickory Lake Scrub
• SUMICA
• North Walk-in-Water Creek

Large debris has been cleared from the trails and public use areas and there are portions of these sites and trails that may be wet or completely underwater. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use good judgement and not walk through areas underwater. Water levels will continue to fluctuate over the next several days and visitors should use caution when hiking. Circle B Bar Reserve, Polk's Nature Discovery Center, Panther Point Trail and Gator Creek Reserve remain closed due to flooding.