Water-Related News

Se7en Wetlands to get 15.5 more miles of recreational trails

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LAKELAND – The City of Lakeland owns and operates Se7en Wetlands, a constructed wetland treatment system that provides tertiary treatment, or final polishing for all of the City’s treated wastewater. Se7en Wetlands is reclaimed mining area that was mined for over 60 years. Mining operations stopped in 1984. Shortly after, the City of Lakeland Purchased the property and then constructed the wetland treatment system in 1987.

In 2018 the City of Lakeland opened Se7en Wetlands as a passive recreational area for hiking, walking and wildlife viewing. The current 8.5 miles of trail can be accessed through two trailheads, one at Loyce Harpe Park and the other at Lakeland Highland Scrub Park. There are two boardwalks, five shade pavilions, two restrooms and 18 trail markers for navigating the trail system. New trail construction has started that will include an additional 15.5 miles of trail, three shade structures, and a trail head at Mulberry Park (Polk County Park) that will include an interpretive kiosk. Once the new trails are completed, Se7en Wetlands will have 24 miles of recreational trail. The new 15.5 miles of trail will have an additional 31 trail markers to assist visitors with navigating Se7en Wetlands.