Google Earth image: Locator map

Aerial view of Bonnet Springs Park with the City of Lakeland on the horizon. Photo credit: Matthew Arielly, courtesy of Sasaki

Bonnet Springs Park site plan. Photo credit: courtesy of Sasaki

Contaminated soil from the abandoned railyard was relocated on site and capped in large hills that double as overlooks for the park. Photo credit: courtesy of Sasaki

A 2-mile pedestrian loop winds through Bonnet Springs Park, from the entry through lush woods, alongside wetlands, and past the park’s many program elements. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

An interconnected system of stormwater treatment at Bonnet Springs Park protects Lake Bonnet and the lagoon from pollutants. Photo credit: courtesy of Sasaki

The Bonnet Springs Valley was created by the natural eroding processes of the Bonnet Spring, a sand seep spring. The rare hydrological system is the result of ground water being squeezed out of a porous hillside. A new restored ecosystem along the spring corridor will naturally stabilize the banks, clean the water, and provide new habitat for water-loving fauna. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

A grove of mature oak trees shade sections of the quarter-mile-long canopy walkway that soars up to 20 feet above the woodland floor. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The Nature Playground’s water play area takes inspiration from the site’s sand seep spring. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The view from the Welcome Center’s second-floor patio looks out onto the heritage gardens, which take inspiration from the park’s history as a railyard and orange grove. Photo credit: Matthew Arielly

A deep pine-clad overhang shades the Welcome Center’s second-floor patio. Striping on the grounds aligns with rows of trees in the neighboring Heritage Garden groves, while the curvilinear roof follows the park’s winding paths. The Welcome Center houses a cafe, an exhibit about the park’s history, and the park offices. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The Florida Children’s museum has exhibits for kids of all ages from STEAM to music, all set inside the wonderful backdrop of Bonnet Springs Park. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The rooftop of the Bonnet Springs Cafe emerges from a hill, and offers the perfect spot to watch the sunset behind Lake Bonnet and live music performances on the event lawn. Photo credit: courtesy of Bonnet Springs Park

The large, central event lawn is designed to program cultural events and festivals throughout the year. An estimated 25,000 visitors attended the grand opening of the park in October 2022. Photo credit: Rae Pozdro, courtesy of Sasaki

Nicknamed the “Bridge Building”, the Florida Children’s Museum and Bonnet Springs Park Cafe emerge from between the park’s hills, embracing the circulator and event lawn. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The Nature Center offers boat rentals, allowing water activity and access to the remediated lagoon overlooking Lake Bonnet. A series of lush constructed wetland gardens play a vital role in improving the ecological health of the Bonnet Springs Valley and Lake Bonnet. Photo credit: Matthew Arielly

Connected by boardwalks, the cypress-clad Nature Center consists of two buildings that welcome all visitors seeking to learn more about the flora and fauna of Bonnet Springs Park. The screened pergola and dock meet the water’s edge, while the gallery and classroom are tucked in the trees. The buildings were sited so as to not disturb existing trees. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

The Nature Center’s exhibit space inspires and educates the next generation of environmental stewards. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

Classrooms in the Nature Center provide programming opportunities and engagement for visitors. Photo credit: Matthew Arielly

The vegetable gardens provide opportunities for harvesting produce and support culinary programming at the Event Center Photo credit: Matthew Arielly

The Event Center offers views out to the botanical gardens, and invites the gardens in at its striking entry space. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann

Cross laminated timber roof panels and glulam beams are used in combination with steel columns for the structure of the Event Center. Beams and planks are created by gluing smaller conventional lumber pieces together to create a strong, beautiful, and sustainable structure with acoustic and fire-retardant properties. The Event Center hosts everything from weddings to yoga classes. Photo credit: courtesy of Bonnet Springs Park

Swirling paths through the botanic gardens provide visitor access to and from the Event Center, curving along the edges of stormwater treatment ponds. Photo credit: Jeremy Bittermann