POLK COUNTY, Fla. — With warmer days ahead, more people are taking to the outdoors and looking for parks to enjoy.

Polk County is seeing just that, but they’re facing issues as its population grows and a lack of parks and recreational spaces is limited.

What You Need To Know

  • Lakeland Parks, Recreational and Cultural Arts Department shares need for more recreational spaces as the population grows

  • Deputy Director Pam Page says they plan in 10-year increments to develop park spaces

  • Lake Crago Park, one of the newest parks in Polk County, will have two soccer fields, a multipurpose field, picnic tables and a brand-new playground

Planning for the future — it’s what Pam Page has been doing for the past 25 years, working with Lakeland's Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, where she’s currently the deputy director.

“A lot of the plans that I did 25 years ago are now coming to fruition,” she said.

As the city’s population continues to grow, Page said these plans are crucial. According to the last U.S. Census, there were more than 100,000 people living in Lakeland.

Page said the focus is to create spaces with children in mind and to make sure everyone has access.

“The most important element is to keep kids off the street and give them something constructive to do, so not only do we offer all sorts of programs in our recreation center, we have all these different activities,” she said.

The department plans in 10-year increments to set aside funding for park projects.

But Page said right now, recreational sports are a big draw, and it’s tough to find enough fields to meet the need.

For residents like Darrel Congdon and his family, parks are a perk of living here.

“It’s a draw to the community, it brings people to eat at restaurants and shop at shops and it’s very beneficial to bring families down,” he said.

Congdon has lived in Polk County his entire life and he’s watched the growth. He said would like to see more outdoor spaces to enjoy time with his granddaughter.

“More green space, more shaded areas for kids to play — we need more parks and places like this for people to spread out and go,” Congdon said.

Page is hoping Lake Crago Park will provide some of that.

Located in Lakeland, it’s one of the newest parks in Polk County and part of a plan that will have two soccer fields, a multipurpose field, picnic tables and a brand-new playground.

“When we open this, it’ll be used every day. They’ll have soccer practice every night and then games and tournaments every weekend,” Page said.

The park is expected to open in late August.

As Page continues to plan for the future, she envisions plenty of green space on the horizon.