Haines City, Florida, Is Home to Several Family-Friendly Attractions
Haines City is a city in Polk County, Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,535. This makes it the third most populated city in Polk County. It is part of the Lakeland-Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Tampa Bay Area. The Haines City area is home to a number of different businesses, schools, and attractions.
IRONMAN 70.3
The IRONMAN 70.3 Florida triathlon will be held this Sunday in Haines City. It was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, but this year the event will still take place. The race will begin at 7 a.m. and finish in Haines City. The course will also go through Lake Wales, Florida.
The event organizers have used social media, word-of-mouth, television, and non-profit groups to promote the event. The race is held in the small town of Haines City, which has hosted the event for seven years. The course includes a 26-mile run, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 2.5-mile swim.
The Haines City location will be close to Orlando and Tampa and will feature a beautiful lake for the swim. It is located about 30 minutes from both cities. The transition area will be in a large parking lot.
Lake Eva Community Park
The Lake Eva Community Park in Haines City, Florida, has several different amenities for families. The park includes a splash pad, activity pool, water slide, and more. The water park is open to the public for a minimal fee of $5 per person. The splash pad and water spray park are great for toddlers and younger children, and older children will enjoy the zero-depth lagoon pool and large slide. The park also has a regular-sized swimming pool, basketball courts, and tennis courts.
The lake is located near the Haines City Community Center, and the Parks and Recreation Department’s Community Center is nearby. It is a small town of about 2,000 residents, located on the shores of Lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Marion.
Lake Marion Creek Scrub Tract
Lake Marion Creek is located near the Polk-Osceola county line just east of Haines City on CR 580. Its headwaters of Lake Marion and Reedy creeks provide important freshwater to Florida’s Everglades and Kissimmee River. It is also home to many species of birds, including wading birds and white-tailed deer. The District has acquired about 300 acres of this area for conservation purposes.
The Lake Marion Creek Scrub Tract contains a variety of habitats. This natural area is made up of a mixture of pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, and hardwood swamps. There are also fern-carpeted hammocks and sugar sand hills.
Hunting is allowed in this natural area. A permit is required for hunting. The FWC provides information on hunting seasons and fees.
