Circle Bar B Reserve

Ready for a hike?  Then head on over to the Circle Bar B Reserve in Lakeland.  This county run reserve is located on Winter Lake Rd. near the intersection of US 98 and the Polk Parkway.  The park has several different trails, and each are marked with their difficulty and their length.  We opted for the Shady Oak, Alligator Alley, and Heron Hideout. 

Shady Oak Trail

The trails were very well taken care of and we were able to view plenty of wildlife on them. 

A crane that we saw on the Alligator Alley trail.

I would not suggest the Alligator Alley and Heron Hideout trail for those with a stroller or unsteady walkers.  The trail was rather bumpy with exposed tree roots.  I would also suggest bringing sunscreen and bug spray.  We used deep woods Off and did not have any issues, but I did notice several others on the trail smacking bugs.   The trails we picked were rather shady, but there were spots where the trail was not covered and lets face it, the Florida sun is brutal. 

Alligator in the lake that we spotted on the Alligator Alley trail

There were plenty of place in the parking lot to picnic, with several covered areas with tables and a grill.  There is also a discovery center onsite that teaches kids and adults about the local wildlife and environment.  The kids really enjoyed the tree house and fox den that they could crawl in.  There was also a video running that discussed ways to help conserve our natural resources.  

The park allows for horseback riding, bikes, and of course hiking.  There is no playground, but the indoors discovery center makes up for it.  They offer several different events through out the year, so be sure to check it out if you are ever in the area.  I know we will be back soon to try some of the other trails.  

For more information, check out their website: Circle Bar B Reserve

A turtle sunning itself on Alligator Alley trail.

Common Grounds Park Set To Reopen!

Common Grounds Park is set to reopen today!  The park has been undergoing a makeover for the past few weeks.  We can not wait to see all the improvements made to this wonderful park.

For more information on the park, please check out the City of Lakeland's website; http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/CommonGroundInclusivePlayground.aspx

Curtis Peterson Park, Lakeland

Curtis Peterson Park is a wonderful little neighborhood park in Lakeland, FL.  This little gem is a great place to watch Little League baseball or enjoy nature.  There is a wooden path that walks around the lake and takes you up in the trees.  For dad, there is a boat ramp and plenty of great fishing spots (A Florida Fresh Water Permit is required).  This park is located on the Lake to Lake bike trail, so the second trail is perfect for biking or walking. Both trails are built to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers.

 There is a good size playground with a play area for little kids and a larger play area for the older children. My two boys enjoyed the playground after our walk while I relaxed in the shade. The playground itself is not shaded, but there are plenty of shady spots just outside the mulched area.

Close to to downtown Lakeland, so there are lots of nearby restaurants, or bring some food and enjoy the use of the onsite grills for a picnic.  There are lots of pavilions, including one large one that is completely screened in.  Because this park is on a lake, I would suggest bringing the bug spray.  There is no swimming and there are alligators in the lake.

The park is hidden behind the Lakeland YMCA on Cleveland Blvd.  For more information on the park, check out the park's website; http://www.lakelandgov.net/parkrec/PetersonPark.aspx.

Mayfaire Art Festival

Mayfaire Art Festival is one of my favorite events.  Set for Mother's Day weekend each year, this festival includes different events for everyone.  There is the Art Festival on Saturday and Sunday, a run on Saturday, block party on Saturday night (with fireworks), and food truck event.  Set around beautiful Lake Morton, the fair is a staple for the community.  Put on by the Polk Museum of Art and various local businesses, and the majority of the events are free to enjoy, so it is worth the crowds.

I personally enjoy the art.  There is something for everyone here. Artists from all over the country are displaying their pieces.  From paintings and drawings, to ceramics, and even metal work, can be found while enjoying a leisurely stroll around the lake.  Lake Morton is also known as the "Swan Lake" as there are many different breeds of swans and ducks in the Lake enjoying the spring weather.


My husband enjoys the food.  There are tons of food trucks located through out art festival and the Saturday night block party.  The food is rather expensive if you buy it at the truck, but there are plenty of wonderful restaurants within walking distance.  Or, to save some cash, there are plenty of places to drop a blanket and enjoy a picnic.

The kids get extremely excited about the kids tent located in the Lakeland Library's parking lot.  The tent offers kids the opportunity to make their own art for free.  There are plenty of volunteers to help parents and kids turn household objects in to something fun.  This year they made paper plate swans and coffee filter sun hats.  There is a bounce house area set up directly behind the kids tent, but it is rather pricey, so we skipped it.

They also enjoy the free block party.  There is live music, dancing on the lawn at nearby Lake Mirror, and fireworks.  Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs and set up a spot for your family.  There is a park here, so the little ones can expel some energy before the main event.  If you would like a cold drink, either bring your own, or headed over to the Garden Bistro (you will save yourself $3 per drink).  *There is alcohol sold and consumed at the Block Party.

The 5K takes place before the Block Party kicks off, and awards are handed out before the fireworks to runners.  There is a fee for participating in the 5K, and if you are interested, please visit their website at; http://lakelandrunnersclub.org/races/mayfaire/ 

This year's Mayfaire was amazing and we already can not wait for next year!  For more information on Mayfaire check out this website; http://polkmuseumofart.org/events/mayfaire-by-the-lake/  It is regularly updated, and includes information on past and future Mayfaires.  We hope to see you there in 2014!