Susie
11-27-2006, 04:47 AM
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/orl-park2606nov26,0,4364529.story?coll=orl-home-headlines
Polk aims to buy 81 acres near Lake for park
The county has 90 days to study the land and 120 days to close on a purchase, officials say.
Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 26, 2006
Four Corners may finally get its own regional park.
Polk County leaders are eyeing an 81-acre tract they hope will be used for soccer fields, picnic tables, a playground and jogging trails.
Or as Polk County Leisure Services Director Don Wilson put it, "everything we can squeeze in."
Polk commissioners recently took a formal step toward purchasing the parcel on U.S. Highway 27, about a mile south of the Lake County line and just south of the International Bass Lake Resort community.
The property backs into the 178-acre Old Lake Davenport, which would allow the county to open a boat ramp there for the public.
"I am absolutely convinced that these proposed park amenities define a community, build character, fitness and social skills in our youth and will help provide an identity for this geographic region," said Commissioner Sam Johnson. "My hope is that this location will provide an opportunity for expanded community functions for the young and old alike."
Wilson said the property is the last major parcel left along the U.S. 27 corridor in northeast Polk and said the county is "very lucky" to be able to make an offer on it.
But that offer isn't going to be cheap. The land owners are asking $150,000 per acre, which will put the county's purchase at more than $12 million.
And then the county will have to build the park, which Wilson estimates would cost at least $12 million to $15 million.
The Polk Commission unanimously voted last week to have a review conducted on the property to make sure it would be feasible for a county park. Under the agreement, the county has 90 days to study the parcel, and 120 days to close on the property.
Wilson said the review will show what amenities could go in the park.
If the county buys the land, it will have public meetings to determine what residents want.
"They're the ones who are going to use it," Wilson said.
If the land is purchased for a park, it will take two to three years before the county would be able to open it to the public.
The park would be funded by a community-service tax.
Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.com or 863-422-3395.
Polk aims to buy 81 acres near Lake for park
The county has 90 days to study the land and 120 days to close on a purchase, officials say.
Amy L. Edwards | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted November 26, 2006
Four Corners may finally get its own regional park.
Polk County leaders are eyeing an 81-acre tract they hope will be used for soccer fields, picnic tables, a playground and jogging trails.
Or as Polk County Leisure Services Director Don Wilson put it, "everything we can squeeze in."
Polk commissioners recently took a formal step toward purchasing the parcel on U.S. Highway 27, about a mile south of the Lake County line and just south of the International Bass Lake Resort community.
The property backs into the 178-acre Old Lake Davenport, which would allow the county to open a boat ramp there for the public.
"I am absolutely convinced that these proposed park amenities define a community, build character, fitness and social skills in our youth and will help provide an identity for this geographic region," said Commissioner Sam Johnson. "My hope is that this location will provide an opportunity for expanded community functions for the young and old alike."
Wilson said the property is the last major parcel left along the U.S. 27 corridor in northeast Polk and said the county is "very lucky" to be able to make an offer on it.
But that offer isn't going to be cheap. The land owners are asking $150,000 per acre, which will put the county's purchase at more than $12 million.
And then the county will have to build the park, which Wilson estimates would cost at least $12 million to $15 million.
The Polk Commission unanimously voted last week to have a review conducted on the property to make sure it would be feasible for a county park. Under the agreement, the county has 90 days to study the parcel, and 120 days to close on the property.
Wilson said the review will show what amenities could go in the park.
If the county buys the land, it will have public meetings to determine what residents want.
"They're the ones who are going to use it," Wilson said.
If the land is purchased for a park, it will take two to three years before the county would be able to open it to the public.
The park would be funded by a community-service tax.
Amy L. Edwards can be reached at aledwards@orlandosentinel.com or 863-422-3395.