Lake Wales unveils accessible Kiwanis Park plan; demolition and playground bids total about $853,000

Parks and Recreation staff presented renderings and a funding request for a consolidated Kiwanis Park redevelopment that would add an ADA-accessible playground, loop trail connections, new restroom, six smaller pavilions, and extra parking.

The director said the CRA approved $1,000,000 for the Crystal Lake Park loop yesterday and that the city commission's portion for this Kiwanis work is $734,181.98. She detailed two agenda items: demolition and site prep for the existing playground ($160,192.73) and the playground equipment, surfacing and installation package ($692,753.16). "We are just requesting the commission allow us to remove these from the capital asset list," she said about a separate accounting item, and for the Kiwanis project she described equipment lead times of 12 6 weeks and a roughly six-week installation window; overall she estimated full usable completion in about six months if the commission approves next week.

Residents and commissioners raised questions about fencing and the loss of field space for diamonds or rectangle fields. The parks director said the design preserves or expands green space and that the trail layout allows multi-sport field configurations in central areas. Commissioners also discussed potential rental opportunities and restroom placement; staff said these operational rules and rental fees would be worked out during procurement and planning.

Next step: staff asked the commission whether to proceed with the demolition and procurement items at the next meeting; the commission signaled general support and asked staff to return with formal agenda items and purchase orders.