Local News
New preserve trail opens at Bok Tower Gardens
TBO.com
Published: February 23, 2013
LAKE WALES - Bok Tower Gardens is hosting a community ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of its new 1.5-mile Preserve Trail on Friday at 9 a.m.Published: February 23, 2013
The event takes place just inside the garden's main gate at one of two new picnic shelters constructed as part of the project. Admission to the gardens is free until 10 a.m.
Immediately following the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony, Bok Tower Gardens' Director of Horticulture Greg Kramer will host a narrated, 45-minute trail walk for those who want to be among the first to explore and learn more about the preserve habitat.
"The open agriculture and pine lands around Bok Tower Gardens are important to preserving the historic design and beauty of the garden laid out by Fredrick Law Olmsted Jr.," said David Price, president of Bok Tower Gardens, in a news release. "We are happy to have so many partners in the preservation of this land."
In 2005, the Florida Community Trust awarded a $2.5 million grant to Bok Tower Gardens' partner, the Green Horizon Land Trust, to preserve 260 acres of open lands surrounding the gardens.
Through the partnership, Bok Tower Gardens is responsible for managing these open lands, now known as the Bok Tower Gardens Preserve.
Approximately 156 of these acres are being restored to longleaf pine forest, others will remain in citrus production, and the rest are in their native natural state and are being enhanced.
At the adjacent Lake Wales High School, a second public-use picnic shelter has been constructed on preserve lands for visitors to enjoy sweeping views of Bok Tower with citrus groves in the foreground. Additionally, faculty and students can use the shelter as an "outdoor classroom" for a "one-of-a-kind" learning environment.
This project also is designed to help restore native Florida habitat of longleaf pine forest and rare plants on the Bok Tower Preserve.
"It opens up these protected lands to visitors in an environmentally responsible way that promotes physical exploration, family sharing and creative learning," a news release states.
The gardens are open every day of the year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is $12 for adults and $3 for ages 5-12. Members and children under 5 are admitted free. Legoland ticket holders will receive free admission for children under 12. For more information, contact Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales; contact them at 863-676-1408 or visit www.BokTowerGardens.org.