Situated in the center of Lakeland, Florida, which is home to Harrell’s headquarters, Bonnet Springs Park is walking distance from downtown yet easily accessible via vehicle from all four corners of Lakeland.

The 168-acre urban oasis artfully blends a tranquil natural park and an urban recreation center. Often likened to the iconic Central Park of New York City, Bonnet Springs Park boasts walking paths, a boathouse, several playgrounds, several restaurants, and an event space. Plus, there is a greenhouse (The Jack and Tina Harrell Family Greenhouse), acres of green space, and local ornamentals (the Jack & Tina Harrell Family Botanical Gardens) that are all supported by Harrell’s fertilizer (more on that below).

The park is located on what was the largest railyard in the state of Florida. After decades of use, the railyard closed in the 1980s, leaving an environmental footprint that would require years to remediate. After nearly 40 years of laying dormant, a community of people purchased the land and put together a plan. Rather than repurposing the space into housing complexes or another downtown retail space, the group of visionaries decided that the land should take on a different purpose.

As the park's website states, "Bonnet Springs Park will provide connections that spark an ecological renaissance in our community." From the beginning, the vision for the park was to pay homage to Lakeland’s history while implementing a plan for the future that focuses on:

·         Passion for Lakeland and its parks

·         Public access

·         A new urban landscape

·         Inclusiveness

·         A respect for people and nature

·         Responsible management

The goal has always been to create connection, and the park serves as a bridge that unites the people of Lakeland with one another and with nature.

The Harrell Family and Bonnet Springs

The idea for the park was ignited in 2016 and local philanthropists partnered with a Boston-based firm to create a master plan for site remediation and design. Remediation began in 2019, and it wasn’t until October 2022 that the park opened to the public.

This project was important to the Harrell family from the start. Always invested in building community in Lakeland, the Harrell family committed to supporting the park's development, donating funds to help bring the idea to life.

As you stroll through the park, you’ll see the Jack and Tina Harrell Botanical Gardens and the Jack and Tina Harrell Greenhouse, both of which pay homage to the family's legacy.

"The Harrell Family and Harrell’s are honored to be a part of Bonnet Springs Park. Bonnet Springs Park is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a transformational setting in Lakeland and Central Florida. Harrell’s has committed to providing fertilizer and plant protection products for 20 years. Also, Harrell Family Charities has committed funds to the Park and to the Carol Jenkins Barnett Endowment to fund the operations of Bonnet Springs Park. Please come visit BSP. You’ll be glad you did." -Jack Harrell, Jr.

Growing a Better World at Bonnet Springs Park

As Jack Harrell, Jr. mentioned, Harrell’s is fortunate to be able to support the park. As a company, we are committed to donating fertilizer, seed, and turfgrass management products to support park maintenance for the next 20 years. Donating fertilizer and turf management products means more to us than delivering the goods. Instead, Harrell’s employee-owners work with park maintenance as consultants, providing agronomic support. Our Directors of Agronomy, who specialize in turf, prepare agronomic plans for the park’s different areas and strategize product implementation. Additionally, Dr. Aaron Palmateer, Harrell's Director of Agronomy in horticulture, will assist the park with horticultural planning.

While the designers and builders in these areas did a beautiful job working plants into the environment (everything is visually appealing and seamlessly fits right in), the greenhouse offers a unique look into an area of horticulture that many people never get to see.

It’s enlightening to see the plants' different stages of growth and learn how the greenhouse functions to provide a perfect growing environment. This, coupled with seeing greenhouse managers apply products and tend to plants, is educational for people of all ages and a great way to introduce people to the world of greenhouse growers.

Join us as we walk through the park, touring some of the most popular attractions:

The Bonnet Springs Park Welcome Center

As you enter Bonnet Springs Park, you will be immediately drawn to the welcome center. The design of this building is elegant and modern while meshing seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The space is perfect for welcoming guests as they begin their journey through the park. The Welcome Center houses a customer service and welcome desk, an upper area dedicated to the history of the land and park, and a café for parkgoers.

The Bonnet Springs Park Outdoor Event Space and Florida Children's Museum

The green space just outside the Florida Children’s Museum is massive and open, designed for concerts, events, or for families to enjoy a picnic or to run around and play. The children's museum is one of the coolest places in Bonnet Springs Park. While the location and name are new, the children’s museum (formerly Explorations V) was relocated from its previous home in downtown Lakeland.

The Jack and Tina Harrell Family Greenhouse

Donated by the Harrell family, the Jack and Tina Harrell Family Greenhouse offers an educational look into greenhouse management and showcases some beautiful plants for guests to peruse (more on the greenhouse later).

The Harrell Family Botanical Gardens

Unlike anything else in Lakeland, the botanical gardens enhance your walk through the park. By taking the road less traveled, you’ll journey off the beaten path and through an unrivaled garden of native flowers and plants.

The Bonnet Springs Park Boardwalk

Walking the boardwalk gives you an elevated perspective of the more wooded area of the park. From this vantage point, you’ll pass over trails that you may have already seen, look out at the lake and other areas, and get yet another perspective on the beautiful nature in Bonnet Springs.

Honoring Our Core Values – Taking Care of People

There are also many more beautiful spaces within Bonnet Springs Park, including several playgrounds. As a company, we are honored to be able to help steward this land, and we look forward to partnering with the people of Lakeland to continue fostering connections.

As Lakelanders, we are grateful to have access to such an amazing resource in Bonnet Springs Park. We're very fortunate to be led by people who are committed to living generously and aligning their actions with Harrell’s core values, including the second value on the list, which is to “Take Care of People.”

For more on Bonnet Springs Park, visit www.bonnetspringspark.com.