Lakeland runs more than 70 parks and recreation sites, from Lake Mirror and Lake Parker to four dog parks and a splash pad. Parks Division: 863-834-2233.

Last checked Oct. 9, 2026. Sources: the City of Lakeland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department and its park pages, Bonnet Springs Park and Polk County Parks.

Lakeland is a city of lakes, and most of its best-known parks sit on one. The city’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department runs more than 70 parks and recreation sites, from the promenade on Lake Mirror to the forest paths at Lake Parker. The city’s Parks Finder sorts them by address and amenity.

Who to call

Downtown: Lake Mirror and Lake Morton

  • Hollis Garden, 614 E. Orange St.: a 1.2-acre formal botanical garden in Lake Mirror Park with more than 10,000 flowers, shrubs and native trees, fountains and public art. Closed Mondays. September to May it is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; June to August, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day but Monday.
  • Barnett Family Park, 730 E. Orange St.: at the top of the Lake Mirror Amphitheater, with a splash pad (10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesdays), playgrounds including a preschool playground, a labyrinth, a covered picnic area, restrooms and a field. Water shoes requested; no food, drink or pets on the splash pad. Extra parking at 121 S. Lake Ave.
  • Lake Morton: the downtown lake best known for Lakeland’s swans. The city finished its 46th annual swan health checkup this month, LkldNow reported; the city’s swan page has their history.

Big parks

Lake Parker Park, an 88-acre park whose first phase opened in 1978. Hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (seasonal), pickleball to 9 p.m.

  • Gate 1, 910 E. Granada St.: picnic pavilions, tennis courts, playground, soccer fields, boat ramp and walking paths.
  • Gate 4, 820 E. Robson St.: rentable pavilions, lawn bowling, shuffleboard, pickleball and walking paths.
  • Four color-coded walking loops, from 0.66 to 0.84 miles, and a nine-hole disc golf course.

Bonnet Springs Park is a 168-acre urban nature park, open daily 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with free admission, trails, gardens and playgrounds. A tram runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., its website says.

Lake Crago Park, 525 Lake Crago Drive, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.: a boat ramp, fishing dock, amphitheater, the John Rodda Sports Complex and a dog park. Its recreation center (863-834-2215) offers fitness classes and rental rooms.

Circle B Bar Reserve, 4399 Winter Lake Road, run by Polk County: a 1,267-acre former cattle ranch on the northwest shore of Lake Hancock, known for wildlife, where alligators are a near-certain sight. Open 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in standard time and 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in daylight saving time. Some trails close periodically for management and safety.

Dog parks

Dog park Address Hours
Dog Leg Woods 3326 Cleveland Heights Blvd. Dawn to dusk
Douglas Cook Park 955 Wedgewood Estates Blvd. Dawn to dusk; 9 a.m. opening Tuesdays
Lake Crago 525 Lake Crago Drive Park hours; 9 a.m. opening Wednesdays
On Dog Time (downtown) 145 N. Lake Ave. Dawn to dusk

Skate park

The Lakeland Skate Park is in Fletcher Park at Lake Bonny, 800 U.S. 98 South, open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Trails

The city lists these trails as recently completed:

  • Three Parks Trail East, along New Jersey Road from Glendale Street to the Peterson Park Trail
  • West Lake Parker Trail, Bon Air Street to Bella Vista Street
  • West Memorial Boulevard Trail, Brunnell Parkway to Chestnut Road
  • Main Street Pathway, Interlachen Parkway to Longfellow Boulevard

Coming next, the city says: Three Parks Trail West along Cleveland Heights Boulevard; a Fort Fraser Trail extension from Winter Lake Road (State Road 540) to Lakeland Highlands Road and Glendale Street; the Hartsell Avenue Trail from Lake Hunter to Lake Beulah; the Chase Street Trail toward Bonnet Springs Park; the first Tenoroc Trail segment from Lake Crago Park to State Road 33; and a New York Avenue bicycle and pedestrian overpass from Main Street to Lake Wire Drive. The Fort Fraser Trail is closed where it crosses State Road 60 in Bartow while FDOT builds a trail bridge; see road construction.

What this means for you

  • Splash pad trip? Avoid Wednesdays.
  • Hollis Garden is closed Mondays.
  • Rent a pavilion at Lake Parker or Lake Mirror through 863-834-2280; other pavilions are first come, first served.

Related: things to do this month, farmers markets and getting around Lakeland.

Frequently asked questions

Where are the dog parks in Lakeland?

The city has four: Dog Leg Woods, 3326 Cleveland Heights Blvd.; Douglas Cook Park, 955 Wedgewood Estates Blvd.; Lake Crago, 525 Lake Crago Drive; and On Dog Time downtown at 145 N. Lake Ave. Most are open dawn to dusk.

Is there a splash pad in Lakeland?

Yes. Barnett Family Park, 730 E. Orange St., at the top of the Lake Mirror Amphitheater, has a splash pad open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Wednesdays for maintenance.

Is Bonnet Springs Park free?

Yes. The 168-acre park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. with free admission, its website says.

What are the hours for Circle B Bar Reserve?

Polk County opens the reserve at 4399 Winter Lake Road from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in standard time and 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in daylight saving time.

Where can I launch a boat in Lakeland?

City parks with boat ramps include Lake Parker Park (Gate 1, 910 E. Granada St.) and Lake Crago Park (525 Lake Crago Drive).