Hello Friday.
March 29 2024
Hey, Lakeland. We’re starting a new series on Lakeland’s lakes. Did you know there are 38 of them? For each installment, we’re taking a deep dive into a specific lake.
Would it be a lakes guide if we didn’t start it off with old faithful? Today we’re talking about Lake Hollingsworth.
Lake Hollingsworth at sunset | Photo via @chelseamansfield
Lake Hollingsworth is a 354-acre body of water in central Lakeland. It has an average depth of 4-ft., but its deepest point is 14-ft. below the surface. It holds roughly 792,833,452 gallons of water.
Some notable features of the lake include the Lakeland Country Club (929 Lake Hollingsworth Dr.), which sits beside the lake’s only public parking lot; a 3-mile walking and biking trail circumventing the water that is both stroller and wheelchair accessible; and views of wildlife, Florida Southern College + First Presbyterian Church.
Lake Hollingsworth facing Florida Southern College | Photo via @emilyplank
Looking to get on the water? The lake has 1 boat ramp and a separate area within the parking lot for trucks and boat trailers. It is a popular fishing location, with fishing maps available online. It is often home to water skiers, paddle boarders, and leisurely boaters.
Those not ready to dip their toe in, so to speak, can also try hammocking around the lake between trees, rollerblading along the path, or stepping off the path and pausing for a meditative moment at the boardwalk. There are no public restrooms, so plan accordingly.
Now that you have all the info, water you waiting for? Make it out to Lake Hollingsworth this week and tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured.
Use the buttons below to share this story with someone you'd like to walk, boat, or bike around the lake with.
What lake do you want to see next in our lakes guide?
- Lake Hunter
- Lake Bonny
- Lake Mirror
- Lake Morton
Today
- Give Back Monday | Mon., Sept. 13 | 12-9 p.m. | Keel Farms | Free | Food event with a portion of all proceeds going to the Community Pet Project. 🐾
Tuesday
- Superintendent’s Community Conversation | Tues., Sept. 14 | 6-7 p.m. | Bartow Civic Center | Free | Polk County Public Schools Superintendent Frederick Heid is here to talk with stakeholders about ways to improve our public school system.
Wednesday
- Triviosity | Wed., Sept. 15 | 7 p.m. | Front Page Brewing | Free | Check-in starts at 6:30, and tables fill up fast, so bring your crew + stop by the food truck before flaunting your trivia knowledge. 🧠
Thursday
Friday
- Canned Tuna Concerts | Fri., Sept. 17 | 6-8 p.m. | Munn Park | Free | Bring a can of tuna or any non-perishable food item and enjoy the musical stylings of Dan Signor.
Saturday
- POWer in Pink 5K | Sat., Sept. 18 | 8-11 a.m. | Tiger Town | $35+ | This in-person 5K starts from Tiger Town at Joker Marchant Stadium and awards will be given to 13+ racers in different categories. 👟
- J Holiday | Sat., Sept. 18 | 7-10 p.m. | Polk Theatre | $25+ | R&B sensation J Holiday and the Fish and Grits band are coming to the Polk Theatre to bring live poetry and music to Lakeland.
Sunday
- Central Florida Arms Show | Sun., Sept. 19 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. | SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, 4175 Medulla Rd. | $12 | The Lakeland Rifle and Pistol Club Educational Center is hosting this year’s arms show — parking is free and children 16 and under get free admission with an adult.
Monday
- For the Love of Chocolate | Mon., Sept. 20 | 6 p.m. | Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4730 Florida Ave. S. | $50 | Take part in a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn all about new + interesting ways to incorporate chocolate into your cooking routine. 🍫
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Woman ziplining in Costa Rica | Photo provided by Orlando International Airport
Ready for your next adventure? Orlando International Airport (MCO) offers a gateway to unique travel experiences. There are plenty of opportunities to get away, with ~120 destinations worldwide (95+ domestic destinations and 25+ international destinations).
Some fun international destinations include:
✈️ Cozumel, Mexico
✈️ Antigua + Barbuda
✈️ Costa Rica
✈️ St. Maarten
✈️ Dominican Republic
✈️ Belize
Stay up to date on current travel requirements + COVID protocols, and start planning your next vacation below. Ⓟ
Weather
- 89º | Scattered thunderstorms | 50% chance of rain
Number
- $762,300,051. That’s the total revenue allotted for The City of Lakeland’s 2022 fiscal year, according to last week’s first budget hearing. The second meeting, which finalizes the budget set for the year, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
Civic
- Applications are open for Impact Polk, an annual grant program of the Give Well Community Foundation. Public nonprofit charitable organizations who serve Polk County can apply for funding through Oct. 4. For more details + applications, click here.
Biz
- Uli and Co. has announced Uliana Events, a new business + event space that will be housed in the same location as their new flagship store at 1216 S. Florida Ave. The space will be available for private events, including but not limited to baby and bridal showers, dinners, and parties. 💐
- Lakeland’s Cannon Automotive Group (5210 S. Florida Ave.) sold to Myers Auto Group, LLC, a West Palm Beach dealer, on Sept. 1. As a result of the sale, the Cannon dealerships will be renamed Buick Lakeland, Cadillac Lakeland, and Subaru Lakeland, which is already open for business. 🚗 (The Ledger)
- Publix has promoted 2 of its career-long employees to vice presidents. John Goff and Matt Crawley, who started as a service clerk and a grocery clerk, respectively, will serve as the supermarket chain’s senior vice president of retail operations and the Miami division’s vice president. (The Ledger)
Feel Good
- Geoffrey + Samantha Bangley, married teachers at Lake Region High School, were recognized at last week’s Polk County School Board meeting for their extraordinary acts of service. The couple accompanied an injured football player to the hospital, staying with him through the night until his parents could arrive. ❤️
Listen
- The Jae Choe Show has a new episode featuring Diana Alvarez-Hughes, a PhD-turned-street poet, who shares her experience and thoughts on being a poet, as well as elements of her writing process. You can listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Jae Choe’s platform. 🎙️
Deal
- The Back Nine (7331 US Hwy 98 N.) is celebrating the return to football season with recurring deals for Tampa Bay Buccaneers games. The game day special includes 6 wings + a domestic draft for $9, plus a free “buc shot” at every Bucs touchdown. 🏈
Legacy
- Larry Hardaway, a Winter Haven civil rights activist + lawyer, passed away Thursday at the age of 67. Larry won the Pro Bono Award for the 10th Judicial Circuit by the Florida Bar Association in 2000 for representing clients who couldn’t afford counsel. (The Ledger)
Number
- 6. That’s how many days are left to submit your application for Catapult’s LAUNCH program before the Sept. 18 deadline. Ⓟ
Survey
- Hey, have you taken our demographics survey yet? We’d love to learn more about you (to better serve you in this newsletter) by having you complete this quick, 2-min. online survey. Thanks in advance.
Want a view like this for yourself? Stop by Haus Mrkt this Friday, Sept. 17 between 5:30-9 p.m. for Fall Frenzy. 🍂
Featuring local vendors, cocktails from Cob & Pen, and food trucks in the courtyard, this family-friendly event is kicking off the fall festivities for the season.
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ICYMI, local artist Gillian Fazio unveiled a new mural in Winter Haven last week. Haven't seen it yet? Take a peek here.
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