Parks and Recreation

Get ready to “Gather, Eat, Chill” at Bowen Yard in downtown Winter Haven.
See how Lakeland’s running trails and local support earned made it a Runner Friendly Community for the next five years.
Dive into the history behind the Lakeland Country Club and learn how you can become a future member.
Tell us what you’re hoping to do, see, and experience for the first time this year. We’ll share the best responses in our Lakeland bucket list.
Choose my fate — if you dare.
Average daily walking trips dropped by 36% in the US between 2019 and 2022 — see how Lakeland compares.
Wondering how the city plans to protect its swans, where you can sit, or when you can place your chairs? Keep reading to learn how this year’s parade will work and ask us your additional questions.
Bonnet Springs Park will host a Birthday Bash to celebrate its first year of operations. See what’s on the schedule and what milestones the park has achieved this year.
Whether you’re a seasoned runner or trying to launch a new habit, check out this guide for running gear, planning your routes, finding a pack, and more.
We’re on a mission to map out Lakeland’s top destinations for foodies, art lovers, and pet parents. Learn how you can help.
More from LALtoday
See who will take the stage in Plant City when the festival returns in February 2026.
The 16th annual edition of Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 29 — the perfect time to help you add a local sparkle into your holiday shopping.
We’re digging through the Lakeland Public Library photo archives to relive autumn memories from years gone by.
The Comedy Cathedral is set to open by spring 2026 with entertainment, classes, and community events designed to keep Lakeland laughing.
You won’t find an official Turkey Trot in Lakeland, but there are plenty of fun runs and nearby races to break a seasonal sweat.
Here’s a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving.
The rebuilt store includes 55,701 sqft of space for shopping, dining, and relaxing. Scroll through photos from opening day.
Take a look inside the Ludd M. Spivey House, formerly home to Florida Southern College’s president who made a historic impact on the campus.
Over the next 10 days, we’re launching a reader-driven campaign to sustain what we do best.
The Lakeland Margarita Society hosts the Margarita Ball every November to raise money to provide Christmas gifts for local children.