Downtown Trailhead Park Design
Winter Haven, FL
The Downtown Trailhead Park for the Chain of Lakes Trail serves as a gathering and resting space for trail users and the community. The trail stretches for more than 3 miles along a former railroad bed from downtown Winter Haven north to Lake Alfred in central Florida. Downtown Trailhead Park also serves as a link between the adjacent Winter Haven Area Transit (WHAT) Station and City Hall. The park project provides amenities for downtown revitalization, parking for civil events, and an enhanced downtown greenspace.
The CPWG Engineering Team prepared and reviewed all bidding documents and specifications for the project. Our staff assisted the County planners with bid solicitation and response to bidder questions. The overall project included entry drives from the Lake Silver Drive connector to 3rd street, two parking lots, stormwater management design, site utilities, water and sewer connections, and construction documents, specifications, and cost estimates.
Our team focused on low impact design and innovative stormwater design while designing the entrance road and the trail system to minimize the impact of construction on the native ecology of the park. CPWG staff coordinated meetings with permit agencies. Permits obtained included Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) ERP stormwater permit, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) access and drainage permit, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) permits for water and sewer, Lake County Building Department and the City of Leesburg.
During the construction phase CPWG Engineering assisted the County by provided construction administration services, site inspections, utility company coordination, site meeting attendance and review of shop drawings. The resulting greenspace became a wonderful place to take a minute and relax.