by James Coulter
A resolution voicing opposition toward a controversial parkway proposed for Lake Wales has been tabled until the resolution’s wording can be better modified.
At their regular meeting on Tues. Feb. 4, 205, Lake Wales City Commissioners voted unanimously to table a resolution that voiced their opposition to the proposed construction of Central Polk Parkway East.
The parkway is planned to connect to U.S. Highway 17-92 from SR 60 on the west side of Lake Wales with a planned Poinciana Connector segment connecting 17-92 with I-4.
However, since its proposal, the parkway has proven quite controversial among residents, many of whom fear it would disrupt local wildlife and the environment.
“The proposed alignments for the parkway have the potential to significantly impact the City of Lake Wales, including disruption to existing development, encroachment on environmentally sensitive areas, and potential conflicts with the City’s long-term development plans as outlined in Lake Wales Envision,” wrote City Clerk Jennifer Nanek in the city agenda memo.
Several residents took to the podium during the public comments portion of the meeting to voice their concerns about the parkway. One resident, Catherine Price, claimed the parkway would only exasperate traffic problems, especially near Highway 27 and 60.
“What is this parkway going to do for Lake Wales other than dump more traffic into an already congested, dangerous situation?” she asked. “Highway 60 and 27 have now become death traps in the middle of the day.”
Another resident, Juanita Zwaryczuk, argued that the parkway would negatively impact Bok Tower Gardens. As such, she was disappointed that the resolution mentioned nothing about the local attraction.
“Bok Tower Gardens puts Lake Wales on the map and provides the only tourist attraction we have here,” she said. “Frankly, to me, if any land needs to be impacted, it is land no one is living at, and land that is furthest away from our established neighborhoods, and that it is built far away from Bok Tower Gardens.”
Commissioner Keith Thompson understood the concerns expressed by residents, but he also wanted to be cautious about addressing the proposed parkway.
“I want to be careful with the word opposition because I would rather have influence over this as the city rather than opposed to it,” he said. “We want to have a voice at the table and shape the conversation. So, I would love to hear more from the community.”
Commissioner Thompson recommended tabling the discussion until he and the other commissioners received enough information about the parkway to make a proper decision.
“They are not pouring concrete out there,” he said. “We are not rushing it. I don’t know what the rush is. I think we have some time.”
Commissioner Carol Gillespie suggested receiving more input from the community. She recommended hosting a town hall where residents could voice their concerns and express their needs concerning transportation.
“We need a town hall where people can express their views about how we can better meet the need for transportation,” she said. “I think if we can focus on what would be the right solution, I would like to hear it.”
Deputy Mayor Robin Gibson, while he understood the concerns about the proposed parkway, also realized that it was proposed for a reason, and that reason was a “legitimate goal.”
“We should consider this is a federal highway and the reality is that the people of the country are paying for it, as are the people in the state, and they are entitled to get from point A to point B, even if it goes through Lake Wales,” he said.
“But dumping that traffic into residential areas [as this parkway would] is a heck of an imposition, and I think that is the thing we are opposed to. We are not opposed to the expansion of road,” he elucidated.
City Commissioners voted unanimously to table the resolution. The resolution will be discussed and potentially amended at a future city commission work session.
