City of Winter Haven – Big things are happening in the heart of Downtown Winter Haven. This summer, Central Park is undergoing a transformation that will ensure it remains a lush, welcoming, and resilient space for years to come. Whether you’re a downtown business owner, resident, or visitor, these improvements are being made with you in mind.
Investing in Downtown’s Green Heart
Central Park is more than just a green space—it’s a gathering place, a peaceful lunch spot, a shady rest stop, and a stage for community events. To protect and enhance this space, the City of Winter Haven is making strategic improvements to the park’s landscaping that prioritize long-term health, safety, and beauty.
This work is part of a larger commitment to sustainable, resilient parks across our city. If you’ve visited Joyce B. Davis Park, just two blocks north, you’ve seen the positive results of this thoughtful approach. Now, it’s Central Park’s turn.
What’s Happening Right Now
If you’ve walked or driven past Central Park recently, you may have noticed that the grass is brown and dead. That’s intentional—and it’s the first step toward a healthier lawn.
We’ve treated the grass to eliminate it entirely. Next, it will be removed and replaced with Provista sod, a high-quality, shade-tolerant turf that thrives under tree canopies and requires less frequent mowing. The result will be a vibrant, healthy, and resilient lawn that looks great and holds up to high foot traffic.
Enhancing the Tree Canopy
Winter Haven is proud of its urban forest, and Central Park’s tree canopy is one of its most iconic features. That’s why we’ve taken a detailed, science-based approach to evaluating every tree in the park.
With guidance from a certified arborist, we carefully assessed the health of each tree. Eight trees are scheduled for removal because they are either dead or no longer healthy. While these decisions are never made lightly, removing unhealthy trees is essential to protect the overall health of the park’s landscape and ensure safety for park visitors.
Reasons for removal include:
- Lack of sunlight due to overcrowding beneath the dense canopy (a condition known as phototropism), which weakens trees and limits their growth.
- Root intrusion into paver bricks, creating both a poor environment for the tree and a trip hazard for visitors.
- Necrotic trunk tissue, where parts of the tree’s bark show clear signs of decay and failure.
Two for One: Replanting for the Future
For every tree removed in the downtown area, the City will plant two in its place—as outlined in our Urban Forestry Plan. That means 16 new trees will be planted in and around Central Park. These new trees will be selected from the City’s preferred species list using the “Right Tree, Right Place” principle.
Working closely with our arborist team and the experts at UF IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping, we’re choosing species that:
- Thrive in our Central Florida climate
- Match the specific soil, sunlight, and spacing needs of each planting location
- Enhance the beauty and diversity of the park’s landscape
Replanting will begin in the coming months and continue in phases. Each tree will be planted during the time of year best suited to support its healthy establishment. By staggering planting across multiple seasons, we increase the long-term success of each tree and promote a more resilient urban forest. A varied planting schedule also helps ensure that trees mature at different times, rather than aging—and potentially declining—all at once.
The goal? A balanced canopy that’s healthier, more diverse, and better suited to long-term success.
What to Expect Next
This project will move quickly over the next several weeks. You’ll continue to see active work in the park as crews remove old sod, install new turf, and complete tree work. While the current look may not be picturesque, it’s all part of a larger plan—and by fall, Central Park will be restored, revitalized, and ready for years of enjoyment.
We’re Growing Together
These improvements aren’t just about aesthetics—they’re about sustainability, safety, and stewardship. By making smart investments today, we’re building a stronger, greener future for downtown Winter Haven.
So next time you walk through Central Park—or stop by for lunch, a stroll, or a market—know that the park is being cared for with intention. Just like we did at Joyce B. Davis Park, we’re preparing this space to shine for decades to come.
