Water-Related News

New nature parks coming to Winter Haven

Area residents may have an opportunity to enjoy at least two new nature parks in the coming years, according to City of Winter Haven staff.

The first new nature park in Winter Haven will be built on what is now dehydrated wetlands on the south side of Lake Conine, near the Florence Villa neighborhood and Lucerne Park Road. City staff awarded a $3.4 million contract to the Wauchula firm of Cobb Site Development, Inc. on Sept. 15 to build the South Lake Conine Wetland Restoration/Stormwater Treatment Project.

Back in the 1980s, Lake Conine was one of the dirtiest lakes in the county due to wastewater plant discharge and untreated storm water. Staff are hoping that restoring wetlands on the south side of the lake will help treat dirty storm water before it reaches the lake, similar to nature parks on Lake Howard and Lake Hartridge.

A few months ago Winter Haven Utilities Director MJ Carnevale said the park, which will include trails, could be completed in 2020.