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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Central Park is more than just a green space\u2014it’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\u2019s landscaping that prioritize long-term health, safety, and beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This work is part of a larger commitment to sustainable, resilient parks across our city. If you\u2019ve visited Joyce B. Davis Park, just two blocks north, you\u2019ve seen the positive results of this thoughtful approach. Now, it\u2019s Central Park\u2019s turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you’ve walked or driven past Central Park recently, you may have noticed that the grass is brown and dead. That\u2019s intentional\u2014and it\u2019s the first step toward a healthier lawn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Winter Haven is proud of its urban forest, and Central Park\u2019s tree canopy is one of its most iconic features. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve taken a detailed, science-based approach to evaluating every tree in the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s landscape and ensure safety for park visitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For every tree removed in the downtown area, the City will plant two in its place\u2014as 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\u2019s preferred species list using the “Right Tree, Right Place” principle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Working closely with our arborist team and the experts at UF IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping, we\u2019re choosing species that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2014and potentially declining\u2014all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The goal? A balanced canopy that\u2019s healthier, more diverse, and better suited to long-term success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This project will move quickly over the next several weeks. You\u2019ll 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\u2019s all part of a larger plan\u2014and by fall, Central Park will be restored, revitalized, and ready for years of enjoyment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These improvements aren\u2019t just about aesthetics\u2014they\u2019re about sustainability, safety, and stewardship. By making smart investments today, we\u2019re building a stronger, greener future for downtown Winter Haven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So next time you walk through Central Park\u2014or stop by for lunch, a stroll, or a market\u2014know that the park is being cared for with intention. Just like we did at Joyce B. Davis Park, we\u2019re preparing this space to shine for decades to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":78322,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[840,68,1528,1527,1113,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-78323","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fast-factual-free","8":"tag-central-park","9":"tag-city-of-winter-haven","10":"tag-greener","11":"tag-healthier","12":"tag-park","13":"tag-winter-haven"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.winterhavendaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/img_9606.jpg?fit=1080%2C1080&ssl=1","aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t