This decision informed nearly every aspect of the project, including mobility, microclimate, noise mitigation, and architecture. Perhaps most noticeably, the remediation strategy drove the creation of a hilly topography rarely found in Florida, which is now one of the defining features of the park. The park features heritage gardens, a canopy walk, botanic gardens, playgrounds, and a large event lawn. Walking and biking paths connect major spaces with three new buildings: A Welcome Center, Event Center, Nature Center, and the Florida Children’s Museum.

The design remediates the former industrial landscape and restores natural systems–removing invasive exotic plants, treating stormwater with wetlands and bioswales, and capping contaminated soil into large hills. Following five years of design and construction, the design intent was put to the test when the park opened to over 40,000 visitors from all over Florida. Within its first year, the park hosted over 60 local school field trips and welcomed over 1,410,000 visitors from all 50 states and 19 different countries.

The range of activities in the park supports visitors of all ages and abilities, helping Lakeland forge new connections with their natural environment and with their growing community.