Construction is beginning on two trail projects designed to improve bicycle and pedestrian access around Bonnet Springs Park and west Lakeland.
Together, the projects add important links to Lakeland’s long-sought chain of bike and pedestrian paths and represent visible progress toward a goal city leaders have discussed for years: allowing residents to travel safely between neighborhoods, schools, parks, and downtown without relying on a car.
The Hartsell Avenue Trail will replace a 5-foot sidewalk with a 10-foot shared-use path between Sikes Boulevard and Lake Beulah Drive. The Chase Street Trail will create a 0.9-mile multi-use path connecting Strain Boulevard and Veterans Avenue near Bonnet Springs Park.
More pieces falling into place
Lakeland commissioners approved a pair of contracts on June 15 totaling about $630,000 for engineering and construction of the Hartsell project…