Updates coming to the Crystal Lake neighborhood

Polk County plans to reconstruct the boardwalk over the lake and add a stoplight at a busy intersection near Southeastern University.

An aerial view and three ground-level photos show the Crystal Lake boardwalk in a state of severe disrepair and damage.

Here’s the “before” of the Crystal Lake boardwalk — we can’t wait to see the “after” this summer.

Photo via Polk County

Polk County has its eye on the Crystal Lake area in Lakeland. These two projects in the works could impact drivers, pedestrians, and fishers.

Crystal Lake boardwalk

The 600-ft boardwalk on the north side of the lake was built more than 25 years ago. It was closed to the public as it began to show its age in recent years.

In February, county commissioners approved a contract with Stokes Marine, Inc. to demolish + rebuild the boardwalk by late summer. The project will cost nearly $650,000, and the site is already blocked off.

An aerial view shows the SEU football and baseball fields, with a stoplight icon placed at a crosswalk on North Crystal Lake Drive.

The intersection will include crosswalk signals, making it safer to leave an SEU sporting event.

Photo via Polk County

North Crystal Lake Drive stoplight

Down the road, the county is also planning a new stoplight with pedestrian crosswalks at the intersection of North Crystal Lake Drive and Longfellow Boulevard, just south of Southeastern University.

Commissioners gave the green light to use $411,187 of Polk County Roads and Drainage Division funding for the design portion of the project, but a timeline is TBA.

More from LALtoday
This annual festival celebrates all things aviation. Save this guide to admission, activities, and aviation fun.
Students can now order food online, and an AI-powered food delivery robot will bring it directly to their location. Would you like to see this tech in another part of Lakeland?
Let us plan your nightly entertainment with movies, live music, and stage shows, plus the perfect places to grab a bite.
In response to a statewide water shortage, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is enacting water restrictions for Polk County and surrounding areas.
Polk County Public Schools just broke ground on Junior Achievement’s innovative new Discovery Center where students will get hands-on business experience.
When it comes to hyperspecific food festival themes, Central Florida has the recipe down pat.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Wellness
Get your steps in and find a sense of sisterhood with this group that meets weekly for walks along Lakeland’s most picturesque trails.
Get a rare look inside some of Lakeland’s most historic homes on this walking tour of the Lake Morton neighborhood.
We’re diving into the average cost to rent in Lakeland compared to nearby cities.